Blinken urges ‘inclusive’ process for new Syrian government

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Dec 10 urged all nations to support an “inclusive” political process in Syria, saying the United States would eventually recognise a government if it meets such standards.

“The Syrian people will decide the future of Syria. All nations should pledge to support an inclusive and transparent process and refrain from external interference,” Mr Blinken said in a statement.

“The United States will recognise and fully support a future Syria government that results from this process,” Mr Blinken said.

Mr Blinken said that the future government of Syria should be “credible, inclusive and non-sectarian” after

Islamist rebels toppled strongman Bashar al-Assad

, a member of the Alawite minority who led a secular dictatorship.

Laying out US priorities, Mr Blinken said that the new government must “uphold clear commitments to fully respect the rights of minorities” and allow the flow of humanitarian assistance.

He also said that the United States wants the next government to “

prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism

or posing a threat to its neighbors, and ensure that any chemical or biological weapons stockpiles are secured and safely destroyed.”

In the course of the brutal Syrian civil war, the United States had repeatedly said that Mr Assad lost credibility but stopped short of prioritising his downfall as it also viewed Islamist rebels with suspicion. AFP