Syrian opposition to send delegates to Geneva talks 

Leading Syrian opposition delegation will send a team to Geneva, but not immediately clear if group will participate in negotiations

Riad Hijab, head of the Syrian opposition negotiating committee, earlier this month (AFP)

Friday 29 January 2016

Syria's largest mainstream opposition group said on Friday it would attend UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva, a senior delegate told AFP after four days of discussions in Riyadh.

The delegate said the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC) will send "about 30, 35 people" in all to the Geneva talks, which got underway on Friday. 

Over the past four days, HNC delegates have been in negotiations in Riyadh deciding whether to attend the UN-led talks. 

On Wednesday night, Riad Hijab, head of the HNC, had indicated to reporters that the delegation would not attend the talks until an agreement was reached to allow aid to enter Syrian towns where at least a milion people are currently undersiege. 

A UN resolution adopted by the UN Security Council in 2014 gives international aid agencies the right to access besieged areas in Syria without permission of the Syrian government, and the delegation has been asking for the international community to implement the resolution head of joining the talks.

Late on Thursday, Asaad al-Zoabi, head of the HNC delegation, told Sky News Arabia that the opposition had received the guarantees it sought for an end to bombardment of civilians, and aid access to besieged areas.

Those guarantees came from the United States and Saudi Arabia, Zoabi said, adding the delegation would arrive Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

In a tweet, however, the HNC said it would not be taking part in actual peace negotiations in the Swiss city. 

"HNC confirms it is coming to #Genevaiii to participate in discussions with the @UN, not for negotiations," the tweet said.

HNC coordinator Riad Hijab was to issue a statement on the decision, which came after Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir met with them on Friday evening.

Fuad Aliko, who is due to represent the HNC if it formally takes part in the talks, said earlier on Friday that only a small delegation would travel to the Swiss capital.

"A media delegation from the HNC has decided to go to Geneva," adding that it would be made up of three HNC members who also serve as the group's spokesmen.

But the other delegate said all of the Committee would travel to Switzerland.