(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) GENEVA, Nov 28 (KUNA) -- The UN Tuesday announced launch of the 8th round of peace talks between Syrian regime and opposition in Geneva, by receiving a delegation of opposition groups which was formed in Saudi Arabia last week.
Yahya Aridhi, spokesman of the opposition, said in a statement before the beginning of the round that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime continued its aggression against the Syrian people "and fabricates excuses to miss the diplomatic track in Geneva." The Syrian regime's delegation is due to arrive tomorrow.
Aridhi said the regime has no excuses because the opposition was united, and was ready to "hold direct negotiations with the other side." He said the opposition began the round with a series of coordination meetings with Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary General's special representative to Syria.
The opposition urges those supporting Assad to work on making Syria safe to enable the Syrians return to their homes.
Nasr Al-Hariri, head of the Syrian opposition delegation, said his team would focus on the implementation of the international law including UN Security Council resolution 2254 "which provides a genuine and trusted transition." Al-Hariri meanwhile met with David Satterfield, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, who commended the unity of the opposition.
The statement quoted Satterfield as affirming the US support for a UN-sponsored credible political transition in Syria.
It is still not clear whether the talks will be face-to-face or indirect like the previous rounds.
De Mistura had announced that this round would focus on political transition, writing a new constitution, holding UN-sponsored elections and fighting terrorism. (end) ta.bs
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