Opposition Platforms to cancel Riyadh conference over discords on Assad's role

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Opposition figures ruled out holding of the Riyadh's second peace talks conference in October that seeks to unite opposition groups.

The Saudi-backed High Negotiation Committee assured that no role for Bashar al-Assad in the transitional period, such a condition does not match with pro-Russia opposition platforms in Cairo and Moscow.

The U.N. Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura said last month that he expected a meeting in October, possibly in Riyadh, among the three opposition delegations "to take stock of the realities on the ground with a view to consolidation.

Moscow’s platform had refused to participate in Riyadh’s meetings as they failed to come to an agreement with Cairo on solving the much contested issue of Assad’s future role in government.

Qadri Jamil, Head of Moscow platform has always avoided any discussion over Assad's future.

Assad's rapid gains in Syria and deteriorating condition of key opposition groups, in addition to surprise change in the Saudi stance towards Syria, all that makes Riyadh II far away form being held, an opposition official told Zaman al-Wasl

Last August, the HNC met with participants from Egypt and Russia to discuss key issues, including Assad's role.

Talks were aimed at uniting the three opposition delegations under the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 which outlines a roadmap for a peace process in Syria, while setting a timetable for talks between government and opposition members. It also sees an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people as the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in Syria, according to The National.

But such talks have become more or less pointless, said Mohammed Hineidi, a senior analyst at the Delma Institute.

“The opposition is plagued with divisions, and these talks occurring today are 'more of the same' - a formality for the Riyadh-formed HNC,” he told The National. “The HNC will like always continue to call for an Assad transition - that is, an end to the Syrian conflict on the condition that Assad leaves power.”

Due to the strategic defeat of rebels groups on the ground in Syria, and a de facto victory by the regime forces, the chances that Assad will step down “are close to nil”, he said.

The outcome of the talks therefore is to try and show that the HNC still matters “despite its irrelevance, lack of authority, and more largely the defeat of the Syrian opposition”, said Hineidi.

The HNC was formed in Saudi Arabia in 2015 to replace the Syrian National Coalition, which preceded it as the internationally recognised representative of the Syrian opposition.

The SNC was beset by infighting and criticism that it was dominated by only a small number of opposition factions. Although the HNC has included more groups, it has also suffered from similar accusations. (With The National)