Syrian opposition suspends participation in Astana talks

The Syria main opposition delegation has suspended its participation in peace talks in Kazakhstan to protest against the ongoing bombing campaigns by the Syrian regime.

A spokesman for the opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC), Ahmad Ramadan said: “The delegation has suspended its participation after presenting a memorandum for a total commitment to stopping [government] bombardments.”

Read: Russia, US, Turkey call for safe zones in Syria

The fourth round of negotiations would examine a Russian proposal that includes “safe zones” in Syria to facilitate a ceasefire.

International observers including assistant Secretary of the US Department of State, Stuart Jones, and UN envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, were expected to attend the negotiations.

Russia proposed the establishment of safe areas in opposition-held areas north of Idlib province, and in areas near the province of Homs as well as in Eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, AFP quoted a source close to the opposition as saying.