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Conflict in Syria

Syrian opposition appoints delegation to Geneva talks

Syrian opposition coordinator Riad Hijab said that the opposition will not take part in the talks if any third party is invited to the meeting

Syrian opposition coordinator Riad Hijab AP Photo/Francois Mori

Syrian opposition coordinator Riad Hijab

© AP Photo/Francois Mori

KUWAIT CITY, January 20. /TASS/. The Syrian opposition has decided on the composition of the delegation to the Geneva negotiations on January 25, Syrian opposition coordinator Riad Hijab told a press conference in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The delegation of the Syrian opposition will be headed by Assad al Zubi. One of Jaysh al Islam field commanders Mohammad Alloush will also be part of the delegation. Al Arabiya TV channel reported that the Syrian opposition delegation will include 17 people. "Appointing Alloush was made in response to Russia," al Zoubi told Al Arabiya Al Hadath TB channel.

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Moscow insists Jaysh al-Islam, Ahrar ash-Sham must be on list of terrorist groups in Syria

Hijab said that the opposition will not take part in the talks if any third party is invited to the meeting.

"If any third party is invited, the opposition will not participate," Hijab said.

The next round of talks on Syrian settlements was scheduled by the United Nations Organization for January 25 but media reports say that the date may be postponed due to persisting disagreements. UN spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said on Tuesday that this will be clarified on Wednesday or Thursday.

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On 18 December 2015 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2254 in support of the Vienna agreements on the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Syria envisages participation of the Syrian opposition and representatives of government in the talks that are due to start in January 2016. The final goals of negotiations are defined as establishing the transitional government, adopting a constitution and holding election in the next 18 months.

The document does not mention Syrian President Bashar Assad whose future remains the main stumbling block. The resolution states that the Syrian people should decide the future of the country.

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Syrian conflict

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