Syria says 45 killed in Damascus area blast

The talks are seeking to end a conflict that has killed more than 260,000 people and fuelled the rise of the extremist Islamic State group.

Before agreeing to indirect talks, which foresee de Mistura shuttling between the two sides, the HNC wants an end to the bombing of opposition-held areas and for humanitarian aid to be let through to besieged towns.

Also on Saturday, Ramzy went to the hotel where the Syrian regime delegation was staying to discuss practical arrangements related to the next steps in the discussion, the Syrian envoy’s office reported.

“In view of the (Syrian) regime and its allies’ insistence in violating the rights of the Syrian people, the presence of the HNC delegation in Geneva would not have any justification and the HNC could pull its negotiating team out”, the group’s coordinator, Riad Hijab, said in an online statement. United Nations officials said the encounter was informal but hoped that a more formal meeting could take place later in the day, according to a Voice of America report. The Syrian war, which has killed 250,000 people, has left Europe facing an escalated threat from terrorist attacks and a growing migrant problem. The talks will continue on Monday.

“We are going to Geneva to put to the test the seriousness of the worldwide community in its promises to the Syrian people and to also test the seriousness of the regime in implementing its humanitarian obligations”, another HNC spokesman Riyad Naasan Agha said.

“We are keen to negotiate success”.

The attacks were claimed by militants from the Islamic State group, and Syria’s delegate to the U.N.-sponsored peace talks said the violence confirmed the connection between “terrorism” and “some political groups” – a reference to those who oppose President Bashar Assad. “They are suffering a shortage of food, medicine, milk – there is no power, nothing”, he said, adding that 16 barrel bombs had been dropped on Friday. “In preparations for the negotiations everything has intensified”. The group said Sunday there was no point in them staying in Geneva unless action was taken.

Assad’s government has long referred to all those fighting to overthrow him as terrorists, but has agreed to negotiations with some armed groups in the latest talks.

The delegation has named Army of Islam official Mohammed Alloush as its chief negotiator.

State TV showed several burning cars and a scorched bus, as well as blown out windows, twisted metal and large holes in the facade of a nearby apartment building.

The shrine houses the grave of the daughter of Ali ibn Abi Taleb, whom Shi’ites consider the rightful successor to Prophet Mohammad. He says a ceasefire would allow all to focus on defeating the Islamic State group.

Salem al-Mouslad, the spokesman for the Syrian opposition delegation formed in Saudi Arabia, which already arrived in Switzerland on Saturday, told journalists that the opposition is ready to start talks in Geneva without preconditions.

The Syrian Opposition’s delegation expressed that de Mistura had stated his support to their cause, yet his limitations and jurisdiction as an worldwide mediator does not have the proper tools to set resolution 2245 into effect.