DAMASCUS // The Syrian government on Saturday said the ouster of president Bashar Al Assad remains a “red line” just two days ahead of renewed talks aimed at ending the conflict.
The UN-brokered negotiations in Geneva are the latest push by the international community to find a solution to Syria’s five-year war, which has killed more than 270,000 people.
Both the government and the main opposition grouping, which is being represented by the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) at negotiations, have agreed to attend the talks after the last round collapsed in February.
Chief opposition negotiator Mohammad Alloush and HNC delegation head Asaad Al Zoabi were in Geneva on Saturday.
“The regime was counting on the opposition not to come to Geneva ... but it is here, and it will have a united stance, vision, and negotiating strategy,” said HNC delegation member Hassan Abdel Azim.
The HNC has repeatedly called for Mr Al Assad’s departure at the start of any transitional period, but Syria’s foreign minister said that was out of the question.
“We will not talk with anyone who wants to discuss the presidency ... Bashar Al Assad is a red line,” said Walid Muallem.
“If they continue with this approach, there’s no reason for them to come to Geneva.”
He said the government delegation would go to Switzerland on Sunday.
Despite their appearing to be no common ground between the two camps, however, US secretary of state John Kerry appeared hopeful on Saturday that progress would be made at the talks.
Ending a visit to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Mr Kerry said he had discussed developments in Syria with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saudi King Salman, and top Saudi officials.
“We believe that the start of talks this next week in Geneva presents a critical moment for bringing the political solution to the table that we’ve all been waiting for,” he said.
He added that progress on the transitional government should take place “as soon as possible”.
Saudi foreign minister Adel Al Jubeir, meanwhile, said: “I would emphasise that people see the future of Syria without Bashar Al Assad.”
UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura said the meetings in Geneva would not last more than 10 days.
The negotiations, if they take place, will cover the formation of a new government, a fresh constitution and UN-monitored presidential and parliamentary elections within 18 months, Mr de Mistura said.
However, Mr Muallem said the UN envoy had “no right” to discuss future presidential elections.
“Neither he nor anyone else, whoever they may be, has the right to discuss presidential elections,” he said. “This right is exclusively for the Syrian people.”
The foreign minister said the negotiations would aim to form a “unity government” which would then appoint a committee to either write a new constitution or amend the existing one.
“Then we will have a referendum for the Syrian people to decide on it,” he said, adding that a federal division of Syria was not an option.
The HNC has also insisted on Syria’s territorial unity, but says talks must create a “transitional governance body with full executive powers”.
Chief opposition negotiator Mr Alloush said Mr Muallem’s comments were “ridiculous and show that the regime is not serious about the political process”.
Also on Saturday, Mr de Mistura told Swiss newspaper Le Temps that although Syria's Kurds were not invited to talks, they should be given the opportunity to voice their views on the country's political future.
Regime backer Russia had called on Mr de Mistura to include Syrian Kurdish representatives in peace talks.
Despite the lack of political consensus, violence in Syria has decreased since a landmark truce between the regime and rebels across parts of the country began two weeks ago.
Brokered by the United States and Russia, which back opposing sides in the conflict, the cessation of hostilities appears to be largely holding despite accusations of violations.
Ending a visit to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Mr Kerry said US and Russian officials would meet later in the day to discuss opposition complaints of truce violations.
“Our teams are meeting today with Russia in both Geneva and Amman, where very detailed lay downs will take place regarding these allegations,” he said.
Air raids by the Syrian regime killed seven civilians in rebel-held areas of Aleppo on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The Britain-based monitoring group also said a rebel group was claiming to have shot down a regime warplane in central Hama province, but a pro-government Facebook page blamed “technical difficulties”.
Mr Kerry said “perceived” violations of the truce should not derail the peace talks, however.
“The level of violence by all accounts has been reduced by 80 to 90 per cent, which is very, very significant,” he said.
The UN’s top humanitarian officials said on Friday that the truce had brought “fragile glimmers of hope” to the humanitarian situation, but “it is just not enough”.
* Agence France-Presse
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
'Ashkal'
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Company%20profile
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Company%20Profile
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THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
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ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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Paris Can Wait
Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
Two stars
Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Company%20Profile
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The%20specs
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SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE