EU calls for forming Syrian transitional governing body

The European Union (EU) on Monday called on international partners to format a transitional governing body (TGB) during the upcoming Geneva II Syria peace conference. Foreign ministers of the 28-member bloc adopted a conclusion on Syria reiterating that the TGB should be with full executive powers, including over security, military and intelligence and that any elections in Syria should only take place within the framework of the Geneva communique. The EU also urged the Syrian government, as well as the opposition, to commit themselves to the full implementation of the communique and demonstrate commitment through their actions. The conclusion said that the EU shared growing concern about the spread of extremism and extremist groups, including ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) and Jabhat al-Nusra. "Their involvement in the conflict poses a threat to the peace process, the territorial integrity of Syria and to regional and international security," read the EU conclusion. The Geneva II international peace conference on Syria will take place on Jan. 22.