Russian pull-out from Syria positive if matched with action: Syrian opposition

Syrian main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) spokesman Salem al-Meslet on Tuesday cautiously welcomed Russian intentions to withdraw forces from Syria, but warned that words must be followed by action.

"We heard the decision, but hearing is different from seeing things on the ground. It's important for us to see a full pull-out of the Russian troops, not only Russian troops but all foreign troops," al-Meslet explained.

"It's a positive step if they are serious about implementing that. We'll wait and see and I believe our decision will be based on what we see on the ground," he added.

UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, who is mediating the latest round of talks aiming to find a political solution to the crisis which started five years ago, also welcomed the development.

"The announcement by President Putin on the very day of the beginning of this round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva is a significant development, which we hope will have a positive impact on the progress of the negotiations in Geneva aimed at achieving a political solution to the Syrian conflict and a peaceful political transition in the country," he said in a statement. Endit