‘SNC’ says Syria president’s ouster no precondition for talks
Syria’s foreign-backed opposition has toned down its rhetoric against President Bashar al-Assad, saying the Syrian leader’s ouster is no longer a precondition for the resumption of peace negotiations.
Khaled Khoja, the head of the so-called Syrian National Coalition (SNC), said on Thursday that a new strategy was needed to approach the current conflict in Syria, adding that the overthrow of the Damascus government was the group’s final goal.
“It is not necessary to have these conditions at the beginning of the [peace] process,” said Khoja, stressing that he was seeking “common ground” with other opposition groups inside Syria and wants to “establish a new framework for the Syrian opposition.”
The recent comments by Khoja show a shift in policy of the SNC, which had previously refused to work with other opposition groups recognized by the Syrian government.
The remarks were made following a meeting with French President Francois Hollande, who called for the re-launch of negotiations between the Syrian government and the opposition.
The opposition and its Western supporters have insisted that Assad must step down and a transitional government be formed in Syria as part of any peace deal aimed at ending the four-year crisis in the Arab country. However, Damascus has rejected such demands, arguing that the groups backed by foreign powers and based overseas does not represent the true Syrian opposition.
Also on Thursday, Russia announced plans to host a fresh round of talks between representatives from both sides in April.
Syria has been grappling with a deadly crisis since March 2011. The violence, fueled by Takfiri groups, has so far claimed the lives of over 210,000 people.
The US and its regional allies, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have supported the terrorist groups operating against the government of Assad in Syria.
SZH/MKA/HMV
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