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Syria rebels not to attend peace talks unless UN resolutions implemented

Xinhua, January 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Several Syrian rebel groups said on Wednesday that they would not partake in the upcoming peace talks in Geneva unless a recently endorsed UN humanitarian resolution is implemented.

The resolution urges the warring sides in Syria to allow humanitarian access to all civilians in need.

The fresh rebel stance came as humanitarian aid finally reached the town of Madaya in the northern countryside of Damascus, which has been besieged by government forces for six months. More aid is expected to enter the town on Thursday.

World powers have not yet reached a consensus on naming the terrorist groups in Syria and choosing which rebel groups to attend the Jan. 25 peace talks. The meeting planned to bring together representatives of the Syrian government and oppositions in Geneva to hammer out a political solution to the country's nearly five years of crisis.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said a list of the opposition forces which are coming to Geneva should be prepared, because "the Syrian government will not be holding dialogue with ghosts." Endit