With A Syrian Peace Plan In The Works, Speculation is Mounting That Russia, Turkey, And Iran Will Divide Syria Into Zones Of Influence

Reuters: Russia, Turkey, Iran eye dicing Syria into zones of influence

Syria would be divided into informal zones of regional power influence and Bashar al-Assad would remain president for at least a few years under an outline deal between Russia, Turkey and Iran, sources say.

Such a deal, which would allow regional autonomy within a federal structure controlled by Assad's Alawite sect, is in its infancy, subject to change and would need the buy-in of Assad and the rebels and, eventually, the Gulf states and the United States, sources familiar with Russia's thinking say.

"There has been a move toward a compromise," said Andrey Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a think tank close to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"A final deal will be hard, but stances have shifted."

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WNU Editor: No official word from Moscow yet on this "ceasefire". It looks like some Syrian rebel groups are on side .... Syrian rebel groups in talks with Turkey over ceasefire proposal (Reuters). But Iran does not want Saudi Arabia involved .... Turkey Seeks To Include Saudis In Syrian Peace Talks; Iran Says No (RFE). No White House comment yet on these reports, and President Obama is still on vacation in Hawaii.

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News On Reports Of A Russian - Turkish Peace Plan For Syria
Turkey and Russia have ceasefire plan for Syria, says Ankara -- Reuters
Turkey, Russia Discussing Syria Cease-Fire -- AP
Turkey, Russia strike truce deal on Syria: report -- The Hill
Turkish Media: Syrian Cease-fire Agreement Reached with Russia -- VOA
Turkey and Russia 'agree' on nationwide Syria ceasefire -- Al Jazeera
Syria war: Turkey and Russia prepare ceasefire agreement, Foreign Minister says -- ABC News Online
Turkey, Russia reach agreement on Syria ceasefire proposal -- DW
Russia and Turkey agree ceasefire plan for all of Syria - but Ankara still wants President Assad to stand down -- Daily Mail
Report: Turkey and Russia agree to Syrian cease-fire plan -- UPI
Turkey, Russia Agree on Syria Truce Plan, Anadolu Reports -- Bloomberg
Turkey and Russia agree terms of Syria ceasefire, state media reports -- The Independent
Turkey and Russia draft proposals for ceasefire in Syria -- Financial Times
Turkey, Russia agree on Syria ceasefire plan — media -- TASS