Syrian opposition says will engage in Geneva talks, but no negotiations, yet
- 8 years ago
The first peace talks on Syria in two years began amid uncertainty, but now a key opposition group has decided to join the delegations in Geneva.
But the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee —or HNC — says it wants to discuss humanitarian issues affecting Syria before engaging in negotiations.
HNC member, Hind Khabawat, outlined their goal:
“We are going to start discussing with the UN about our two important files, humanitarian and the political detainees. This is what is important for us”.
The group claims to have drawn up a list of some 3,000 Syrian women and children, who should be released from government prisons.
Representatives of the HNC say they changed their minds about attending the talks after receiving guarantees from the US and Saudi Arabia that their humanitarian demands would be met.
The opposition group has asked for lifts on blockades and an end to ongoing sieges as well as other demands relating to steps laid out by the UN Security Council in a resolut
But the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee —or HNC — says it wants to discuss humanitarian issues affecting Syria before engaging in negotiations.
HNC member, Hind Khabawat, outlined their goal:
“We are going to start discussing with the UN about our two important files, humanitarian and the political detainees. This is what is important for us”.
The group claims to have drawn up a list of some 3,000 Syrian women and children, who should be released from government prisons.
Representatives of the HNC say they changed their minds about attending the talks after receiving guarantees from the US and Saudi Arabia that their humanitarian demands would be met.
The opposition group has asked for lifts on blockades and an end to ongoing sieges as well as other demands relating to steps laid out by the UN Security Council in a resolut