Syrian Opposition Group Sets Preconditions For Peace Talks

Syria's main opposition group has said it would not take part in planned talks in Geneva aimed at ending the 2 1/2-year-old conflict without a clear timetable for President Bashar al-Assad to leave power.

The head of the Syrian National Coalition, Ahmed al-Jarba, made the comment on November 3 at an Arab League emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo.

Jarba also said the coalition could not accept the presence of "occupier Iran" at the negotiating table.

The long-delayed talks, known as Geneva 2, aim to start a political process to end the Syrian civil war, in which more than 100,000 people are estimated to have been killed.

The talks have been repeatedly delayed because of disputes between world powers, divisions among the opposition, and the irreconcilable positions of Assad and the rebels.


Based on reporting by dpa and Reuters