US urges Syria opposition to join ‘Geneva II’ peace talks
US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged members of the Syrian opposition to decide in favour of attending international peace talks when they vote on the question today.
The Syrian National Coalition (SNC), a main opposition body, has still not said whether it will take part in the negotiations, known as “Geneva II”, due to start on January 22.
Kerry told reporters in Washington DC: “On the eve of the Syrian opposition coalition’s general assembly meeting tomorrow, to decide whether to participate in Geneva in the peace conference, the United States for these reasons urges a positive vote.
“We do so knowing [that] the Geneva peace conference is not the end, but rather the beginning. The launch of a process – a process that is the best opportunity for the opposition to achieve the goals of the Syrian people and the revolution – and a political solution to this terrible conflict that has taken many, many, too many lives,” Kerry continued.
The United Nations estimates that more than 100,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad
The Syrian National Coalition (SNC), a main opposition body, has still not said whether it will take part in the negotiations, known as “Geneva II”, due to start on January 22.
Kerry told reporters in Washington DC: “On the eve of the Syrian opposition coalition’s general assembly meeting tomorrow, to decide whether to participate in Geneva in the peace conference, the United States for these reasons urges a positive vote.
“We do so knowing [that] the Geneva peace conference is not the end, but rather the beginning. The launch of a process – a process that is the best opportunity for the opposition to achieve the goals of the Syrian people and the revolution – and a political solution to this terrible conflict that has taken many, many, too many lives,” Kerry continued.
The United Nations estimates that more than 100,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad
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