Syria opposition hails talks, rejects future role for Assad

[dipsydoodle]

Last edited Tue Nov 26, 2013, 08:59 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: AFP / Google

Beirut — Syria's main opposition National Coalition on Tuesday insisted that President Bashar al-Assad should play no role in the country's political future, while hailing the fixing of a date for peace talks.

The Coalition in a statement said it "affirms its absolute rejection of Assad or any of the criminals responsible for killing the Syrian people playing any role in a transitional body... or in Syria's political future."

The statement came a day after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced that peace talks, dubbed Geneva II, would be held on January 22, after several delays.

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The Geneva II talks, the statement added, must "implement all the provisions of Geneva I", which in June 2012 envisaged the creation a transitional government for Syria, but did not stipulate that Assad should step down.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jqEsqFe51OCJpUIlQP3POWfgRalw?docId=a9ca61b7-5c29-456c-bcf9-5b3ce8d31aff

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The opposition's mate Norman supported him in this.

And meanwhile :

Iran ready to join Syria peace talks if invited: Zarif.

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that Tehran was prepared to take part in the Syria peace talks in Geneva, slated for January 22, if invited.
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"Participation of Iran in Geneva 2 is in our view an important contribution to the resolution of the problem. We have said all along that if Iran is invited, we will participate without any preconditions," Zarif told Iran's Press TV.

Iran is the main backer, along with Russia, of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a conflict that has lasted more than two years, killed more than 100,000 people and uprooted millions more.

Tehran's participation in the peace talks would likely strengthen any agreement reached in Geneva.

http://news.yahoo.com/iran-ready-join-syria-peace-talks-geneva-invited-102853009.html

[another_liberal]

1. Is the Western-backed "National Coalition" still the "Main" opposition group in Syria?

That is not what I have been reading. According to recent reports elsewhere, the National Coalition has been largely marginalized in the fight against Assad. With all due respect to AFP, more extremist and religiously fundamentalist groups are now generally considered to be dominant among the opposition within Syria.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Its getting like The Life of Brian.

Whatever happened to the Popular Front.........He's over there.

[another_liberal]

3. "He's over there."

Love that clip!

[Comrade Grumpy]

4. The Istanbul Hilton is heard from. I hope they're enjoying the room service.

I wonder who is picking up the tab, though.