Saudi-backed terrorists in Syria ‘to attend peace talks’

A Saudi-backed terrorist group operating in Syria says it will take part in the upcoming round of UN-brokered peace talks for Syria in Geneva.

“After consultations, the High Negotiations Committee agreed to go to Geneva. The delegation is expected to arrive on Friday,” Riad Naasan Agha, a spokesman for the group, told AFP on Monday.

He attributed the opposition body’s decision to a decline in the alleged violations of a truce agreement on the part of the Syrian government forces.

The agreement on the cessation of hostilities, which was negotiated by the US and Russia, took effect on February 27 and has led to a sharp drop in fighting in much of Syria despite sporadic violations and mutual accusations of breaches.

“We have noticed a sharp decline in ceasefire violations in recent days and progress in the humanitarian file,” particularly with regards to aid deliveries to besieged towns, Agha said.

“We find that the international community is insisting that all the sides, especially Russia and the [Syrian] regime, must respect the truce,” he added.

He said the HNC hoped that nothing would happen that would prevent the group from participating in the talks.

SS