(Zaman Al Wasl)- Syrian armed opposition has submitted a draft of four points to Turkey before attending the planned Astana talks on Jan.23, demanding an immediate halt to the regime’s attacks on civilians and to stop committing ceasefire violations in the Wadi Barada region west of capital Damascus.
Senior commander in Liwaa al-Mu'tasim rebel group told Zaman al-Wasl the draft stated that neutral observers or monitors are needed to watch out the ceasefire, especially at the demarcation lines.
Syrian regime and rebel forces started a ceasefire on Dec. 30 as a first step towards face-to face negotiations, backed by Turkey and Russia, and due to take place in the Kazakh capital Astana.
The United Nations had previously led talks in Geneva, but after several fruitless rounds and an escalation of violence in the six-year civil war that has benefited Bashar al-Assad and his backers, Moscow and Ankara agreed in December to launch new peace efforts.
Moscow has said the proposed Astana talks would complement the United Nations. However, European diplomats and opposition sources have suggested only some armed groups will be invited with political opposition representation limited despite discussions on aspects such as the constitution.
Riyad Hijab, chief coordinator for Syria’s opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling on the world body to demand an immediate halt to the regime’s "indiscriminate attacks" on civilians in Wadi Barada.
Senior commander in Liwaa al-Mu'tasim rebel group told Zaman al-Wasl the draft stated that neutral observers or monitors are needed to watch out the ceasefire, especially at the demarcation lines.
Syrian regime and rebel forces started a ceasefire on Dec. 30 as a first step towards face-to face negotiations, backed by Turkey and Russia, and due to take place in the Kazakh capital Astana.
The United Nations had previously led talks in Geneva, but after several fruitless rounds and an escalation of violence in the six-year civil war that has benefited Bashar al-Assad and his backers, Moscow and Ankara agreed in December to launch new peace efforts.
Moscow has said the proposed Astana talks would complement the United Nations. However, European diplomats and opposition sources have suggested only some armed groups will be invited with political opposition representation limited despite discussions on aspects such as the constitution.
Riyad Hijab, chief coordinator for Syria’s opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling on the world body to demand an immediate halt to the regime’s "indiscriminate attacks" on civilians in Wadi Barada.
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