AT the closure of 2016 a tumultuous year by all accounts there is a faint glimmer of hope for the forsaken people of Syria. A fragile truce hammered out by Russia and Turkey is largely holding, despite sporadic clashes, and there is hope that in the days ahead, a more permanent peace can be worked out in the Kazakh capital, Astana. After nearly seven years of a brutal, grinding war, in which all sides have committed atrocities, it is hoped this ceasefire holds and the reconstruction of this battered Arab state can begin. There is, naturally, much scepticism about the chances of success, as a number of truces have been reached, and broken, in past years. Yet all sides must go the extra mile to make the latest effort successful, and spoilers within and outside Syria must be isolated and prevented from sabotaging a permanent peace deal in the country.

It is significant that Ankara and Moscow have taken the lead in negotiating peace, with a distant Washington looking on. We have argued in these columns that it is the countries of the region that can best contribute to a lasting peace in Syria as they are directly affected by instability in the neighbourhood. It is also a fact that Turkey and Russia have considerable influence within Syria, with the former propping up the opposition, while the latter has been instrumental in turning the tide in favour of Bashar al-Assad`s government, particularly with its military support. Now, Ankara and Moscow, with the support of Iran and regional Arab states, must build on this momentum and forge a lasting peace. Bashar al-Assad must be made to understand that while his government may have gained the upper hand, especially with the recent recapture of Aleppo, using military means to decimate the opposition will result in perpetual conflict; a political compromise has to be reached which paves the way for reform and representative government in Syria. Supporters of the opposition, on the other hand, must make a clear distinction between genuinely moderate political players, and hardcore extremist factions that seek to impose a brutal, sectarian order. Unfortunately, in the muddy waters of Syria, extremists have been in the forefront of the anti-Assad rebellion, and have overshadowed and outgunned the moderate opposition.

Apart from the aforementioned players, spoilers who may try and ruin peace efforts must be kept at bay. Israel which has no love lost for the Assad regime due to its support for Hezbollah must be prevented from meddling in Syria, while those Arab states that have surreptitiously supported extremist factions inside Syria must also sever all such links. Washington and its allies, who have long championed regime change in Syria, must also clarify their stance towards militancy: how can they justify calling upon others to `do more` against extremist militants, yet support directly or indirectly the ideological brethren of such groups in Syria? Only a lasting peace in Syria can enable a more robust response to the region`s biggest challenge: defeating militant gangs such as the militant Islamic State group and Al Nusra.