Relatively positive messages from Astana

As the first day of the Astana negotiations is over it seems that the overall outcome may be positive. The three sides, Russia, Turkey and Iran seem to have reached an agreement on a final common announcement about a mechanism that will supervise the ceasefire.

However, until now it seems that the announcement will not be signed by the rebels as it is not as strong as it should to be delivered to the UN yet.

The basic idea is after the Astana negotiations to move to a political second stage political negotiations in Geneva. The rebels are not negative to such a prospect under the condition that the Astana meeting will have an encouraging outcome.

It seems that Turkey is setting some obstacles as Ankara sets a series of new demands that go beyond the framework agreed for the Astana negotiations.

In the mean time Turkey has announced that al-Bab will not be handed in to the Syrian Army, with experts wondering about the timing of the Turkish statement.

The negotiations will continue on Wednesday.