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Syrian government officials are set to meet with representatives of the Syrian opposition and Free Syrian Army (FSA) groups to discuss a reconciliation agreement in the Eastern Qalamoun region, the Syrian al-Watan newspaper reported on October 26. The newspaper added that Russian officials will also attend the meeting that will be held in Damascus city soon.
The negotiations will include al-Dumayr and al-Ruhaybah towns as welll as Jayrud, al-Mansoura, al-Nasiriyah villages in Eastern Qalamoun, according to al-Watan report.
Meanwhile,Omar al-Sheikh, spokesperson for the Saraya Ahl al-Sham FSA group, told the Syrian opposition news website Enab Baladi that the meeting will be held on October 29 in Damascus city. However, al-Shikeh denied that a reconciliation agreement will be discussed during the meeting.
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Opposition sources claimed that the aim of the negotiations is only to secure the ceasefire, and allow civilians to move freely from and to Eastern Qalamoun. However, pro-government sources said that the Syrian government is proposing a full reconciliation agreement.
According to pro-government sources the agreement will allow FSA fighters to join the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) or leave towards any other opposition-held areas like Idlib governorate. Also. according to the proposed agreement, the FSA will have to hand over all its weapons to the SAA.
A de-escalation agreement in the Eastern Qalamoun region was agreed upon back on September 5. Since than the Syrian government and opposition respected the agreement, and because of this it’s highly unlikely that the two sides will meet again only to re-discuss what they agreed upon months ago.
