Syrian opposition seeks direct talks with regime

The Syrian opposition seeks to engage directly in negotiations with the regime delegation in order to achieve a fast political transition and end the Syrian people’s suffering, an official has revealed yesterday.

Speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the head of the opposition delegation to the Geneva talks, Asaad Al-Zoubi, said the group discussed with the UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura the possibility of entering into direct negotiations with the regime saying: “We want to engage in direct negotiations, to accelerate political transition and end the suffering of our people.”

Al-Zoubi pointed out that the meeting was positive, and that the delegation had presented its vision and arrangements for the negotiations.

“Our main goal is to form a transitional government body with full powers, and ensure Bashar Al-Assad’s departure, as well as to follow-up on humanitarian issues,” he said.

The Syrian opposition delegation’s meeting with de Mistura came in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to withdraw his troops from Syria which many believe deals a serious blow to the Assad regime.