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Roundup: Syrian opposition says won't return to peace talks unless sees "changes on ground"

Xinhua, February 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Syrian opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) said on Wednesday after the announcement of the pause of the intra-Syrian talks that they will leave Geneva on Thursday and "won't return until we see changes on the ground."

Riad Hibjab, coordinator of the Syrian opposition delegation, told reporters Wednesday night here in a Geneva hotel that peace "can't be done" with the presence of Bashar al Assad and with the foreign forces meddling."

He also blamed the Syrian government for "not believing in a peaceful solution" to the ongoing conflict, saying the opposition know the government "that drove the previous Geneva negation to a failure will do it again."

He added that the Syrian government's delegation undermined the success of intra-Syrian talks which were launched last week.

"We came to Geneva and were keen to make it a success, but it seems like the other side doesn't want it to be a success," he said.

The remarks followed UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura's announcement of a pause for intra-Syrian talks which are to be resumed on Feb. 25.

However, the Special Envoy told reporters that this is "not a failure of talks" and he is not frustrated or disappointed but will remain "determined and realistic" in the face of challenges.

The Special Envoy stressed that the temporary pause of intra-Syrian talks does not indicate that discussions have broken down, though more work needs to be done by all sides involved.

"This is not the end and this is not the failure of the talks," he said.

De Mistura highlighted that both sides are interested in starting the political process, adding that a date for the resumption of talks had been set for Feb. 25.

"I will be asking for the ISSG (International Syria Support Group) to convene as soon as possible, hopefully already in Munich, the Security Council to meet, and we reconvene in Geneva again on February 25," he said.

Since no tangible improvements for the Syrian people have been produced since talks were launched last week, the special envoy deemed it wise to instigate this temporary pause.

De Mistura further announced that he will be probably travelling to London Thursday for this year's Syria donor conference. Enditem