ANKARA, January 19, 1:00 /ITAR-TASS/. Representatives of military formations of Syrian opposition, fighting with governmental forces in Syria, are expected to be included in a delegation at peace talks dubbed Geneva II, spokesman of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces Louay Safi told a news conference in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Sunday.
“Definitely, we will give place to them in the group (negotiators). It is unclear yet which role they will play, but they will participate in consultations and decision-making. We are glad that they supported us,” he said. Safi added that the National Coalition leadership will convene again soon to discuss issues related with their participation in the peace conference. They will get in touch with commanders of military formations and will begin discussing the composition of delegation.
Safi explained a dragged decision over National Coalition’s participation in Geneva II with hard talks over prospects of this conference. “Some opinions were voiced that the Syrian rule is closed for talks and not frank and does not have a desire to seek a political solution. However, we have taken the decision by absolute majority of votes. We will go to Geneva to protect our people and their rights,” he said.
Syrian National Coalition’s leader Ahmad Assi Jarba said with hope earlier that the peace conference in Switzerland would make incumbent Syrian President Bashar al-Assad face trial. In his view, the forthcoming conference “is the way in one direction to recognize requirements of revolutionary forces without any compromises.” “We will participate (in the conference) as fighters with terrorism to free Syria from this criminal,” the National Coalition’s leader said, noting that Geneva II will be “no easy way out of the situation” for Damascus.
On Saturday, in Istanbul the Syrian National Coalition General Assembly had a meeting, at which they voted for an opposition delegation to participate in the peace conference Geneva II. From 73 members of the governing council 58 members voted for the decision, 14 voted against it, two abstained and one ballot paper remained blank. The ballot was secret.