Syria conflict: Opposition agrees framework for peace talks

The warning was made by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir as Syria’s disparate opposition groups were meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to discuss al-Assad’s future role and try to build a united front.

Despite Ahrar al-Sham’s withdrawal, the statement was eventually signed by all the participants, Press TV reported.

The Saudi conference ended with an agreement on confirming a committee to seek talks, though they have demanded Assad unconditionally be removed as part of any deal.

Under the agreement reached Thursday, opposition groups have formed a “supreme committee for negotiations” based in Riyadh which will act as a reference for their negotiating team, whose members the body itself will choose.

Syria’s main political and armed opposition groups agreed at unprecedented talks on Thursday to negotiate with President Bashar al-Assad’s government, but also insisted that he step down at the start of any political transition. It also committed to preserving state institutions.

The Riyadh talks, which started on Wednesday, come ahead of proposed peace negotiations between the Syrian opposition and al-Assad’s government.

“For us, in Syria, everyone who holds a machinegun is a terrorist”.

Separately, a list of names the factions drew up in Riyadh showed armed rebel groups would make up the largest single grouping in a joint Syrian opposition body that would oversee talks with Assad’s government.

The walkout pointed to how deeply contentious the issue of negotiating with the regime is, especially for the armed groups that have been fighting for the past four years to topple Assad.

“We were surprised to receive information about an emergency meeting of “the Friends of Syria Group” on December 14, which is known to adhere to the…position of overthrowing the legitimate government in Damascus”.

Asked if he had thought about stepping down as president and leaving the country, he said: “I never thought about leaving Syria under any conditions, in nearly any situation, something I never place in my head”.

Military groups will be represented by Western-backed Free Syrian Army groups in the north and the south of the country, with eight representatives.

Saudi Arabia is the enemy number one of Mr. Assad and they will not relent along with the United States.

Although they all say Assad ultimately must go, they have been less specific about the timing of any departures, indicating that they could accept his staying on in an interim period.