BREAKING NEWS

Syrian opposition starts talks in Moscow, expectations low

By REUTERS

JANUARY 26, 2015 22:57

MOSCOW - Members of the Syrian opposition meeting in Moscow on Monday said they aimed to work out common demands to present to the Damascus government when its representatives join them later this week in an attempt to revive peace efforts.

Expectations of a breakthrough are low. The talks have been spurned by key political opposition and do not involve the main insurgent groups fighting on the ground nearly four years into the war in Syria.

Opposition members who refused to attend cited Moscow's long-standing backing for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as their main reason, saying the talks were aimed at propping up the man they want to leave power.

"We are trying to create an atmosphere of trust, between all sides, including the regime, and with all who are trying to create a ceasefire," Majid Habbo, a senior member of the opposition National Coordination Committee said in Moscow.

Many of the more than 30 opposition figures attending are from a Damascus-based official opposition tolerated by Assad and are viewed as traitors by his armed enemies in the conflict, which has killed more than 200,000 and displaced millions.

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