Syria exiled opposition to snub Moscow peace talks

Syria's exiled opposition, in written statement, has declined invitations from Russia and Egypt to attend peace talks with representatives of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

According to AFP, a Russian foreign ministry spokesman said this week Syrian government and opposition representatives would meet for peace talks in Moscow on April 6.

But the Western-backed National Coalition said it had discussed the invitation during a meeting of its members in Istanbul and "decided not to take part in the Moscow 2" talks.

There is no reason to attend the meeting in Moscow, especially when we see attempts on the part of the regime's allies, including Russia and Iran, to place Assad centre-stage again," Anas al-Abdo told AFP, reiterating rejection of "any political transition that would include Assad".

Abdo said the Coalition had decided to boycott the Moscow talks because of "the lack of a clear agenda, the absence a clear point of reference for anything that might be decided and the Coalition's refusal to engage in dialogue with the regime if this is not part of a transition process".

A source told Zaman al-Wasl that the national Coalition had warned its members from even the individual participation in both conference , Moacow and Cairo, since the General Commission voted not to participate.

Opposition figures said the planned talks will give al-Assad another chance to survive for more two years in power despite all bloodshed he spilled over the country.

The main points of the Cairo Talks summarized as follows: Assad to stay as a president for more two years but he will not rule.  To found a transitional governing body that manages the affairs of state. Return to constitution of 1950.

In January, Russia hosted talks aimed at finding a solution to the four-year-old conflict in Syria that was not attended by the National Coalition.

A domestic opposition group tolerated by Assad's government did take part, however, alongside an official Syrian delegation, but the discussions ended with no concrete results.

The Syria conflict began as a peaceful movement that morphed into a bloody war that has killed more than 220,000 people and forced half the population to flee their homes.