Report: Regional Solution Most Likely Scenario For Syria

A regional solution is the most likely scenario to end the ongoing Syrian crisis, a report by the Arab Reform Initiative said.



The report titled "Scenarios for a Peace Mission for Syria" was the topic of discussion at a review meeting held Wednesday by think tanks at the Turkish foreign ministry.



"The most likely scenario for an end to the conflict would involve a regional solution including Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, with the eventual backing of the U.S. and Russia," said Alvaro Vasconcelos, the report's author and an associate senior research fellow at the Arab Reform Initiative.



Vasconcelos, however, warned that worsening relations between the U.S. and Russia make a possible agreement less likely.



"Russia has never accepted the need to end the Assad regime," he added.



The report said that any peace mission must be built with an understanding that the conflict is a regional one that threatens international security. 



Vasconcelos also said Turkey's involvement could be substantial both in peace enforcement and peacekeeping. 



The Syrian civil war has resulted in the death of 350,000 people and displaced almost half of the country's population.



Turkey has adopted an open-door policy for civilians fleeing conflict in both Syria and Iraq.



It has given refuge to at least 1.6 million Syrians since the beginning of the civil war in March 2011, according to UN figures. 



Turkey also spent more than $5 billion on caring for refugees so far, according to the Turkish finance ministry.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Ankara