Lot at stake in upcoming conference on Syria

The ongoing fighting in Qusayr, between government forces and rebels, is a very dangerous episode in the Syrian conflict. Dozens of people have been killed already and with reports that Hezbollah fighters are taking part, the conflict is fast becoming sectarian and regionalised in nature.

Arab League ministers have already announced they would hold an emergency meeting on Thursday, but unless all sides are brought in, the likelihood of any successful outcome is very low.

Syria’s uprising should not be reduced to mere sectarianism or a platform for international players to battle it out for influence in the region. Therefore, all external players, including non-state actors, must back off immediately. There is a lot riding on the upcoming international peace conference between the Syrian regime and the opposition, mediated by the US and Russia. The international community cannot afford another failed conference. It owes the Syrian people that much. After all, the death toll has increased multi-fold since the first one took place, which resulted in the Geneva communique last year. Today, more than 80,000 people have been killed as a result of the fighting. Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s latest interview shed light on a delusional leader who seems intent on a military solution that, according to most observers, is beyond reach. The only way forward for Syria is to have inclusive dialogue that addresses an immediate end to the daily violence and a realistic approach for political transition in the country.