Islam Army's commander to not attend opposition talks in Riyadh

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Zahran Alloush, Islam Army's commander, will not attend Syrian opposition meeting due to begin in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, source told Zaman al Wasl.

Islam Army, or Jaysh al-Islam, is one of the most powerful rebel groups in Syria that operates in Eastern Ghouta suburbs near the capital.

Islam Army's representatives will be Mohamed Alloush, Political Bureau member, and Mohamed Beireqdar, military operations commander.

A diplomat who tracks Syria told Reuters that Russia would object to the participation of both Islam Army and Ahrar al-Sham due its links to the Nusra Front and al Qaeda. "The Iranians feel uncomfortable with the Saudis leading," the diplomat added.

The Saudi-sponsored conference marks the most serious effort yet to unify Bashar al-Assad's fragmented enemies, a step seen vital to peace talks sought by world powers but which has riled Iran, Reuters said.

A dozen Free Syrian Army rebel groups will also attend, including groups vetted by the United States that have received foreign military aid. They include recipients of U.S.-made anti-tank missiles supplied to rebels in larger quantities since Russia intervened militarily on Assad's side on Sept. 30.