U.N. says Syrian opposition suspends formal talks

[Anthea]

U.N. says Syrian opposition suspends formal talks

GENEVA — The U.N. Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura said on Monday (April 18) that the main opposition group known as the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) would no longer attend talks at the United Nations in Geneva. in protest against the worsening situation on the ground, but that it would however remain in the Swiss city for informal discussions.

"We heard today, I heard today, by meeting the delegation of the HNC their intention to postpone their formal participation in the Palais (des Nations) to the negotiations, in order to express their own displeasure and concern on the humanitarian situation degradation and on the problems related to the cessation of hostilities", Staffan de Mistura told reporters, following a two-hour-and-a-half meeting with an unusually small delegation from the HNC, composed of only three members.

The HNC however told Staffan de Mistura it would remain in Geneva, and, at the U.N. Special Envoy's request, continue informal discussions with him, while meetings with other delegations would go on.

Staffan de Mistura said that the gap between the HNC and that of the Syrian government remained "clearly wide" although both sides were talking about political transition.

A senior opposition figure who asked not to be quoted by name said on Sunday (April 17) that pressure was growing for a speedy decision to leave talks.

The mainstream opposition includes both political and armed opposition to Assad. It includes rebel groups such as Jaysh al-Islam and a number of Free Syrian Army rebel factions deemed moderate by the West, some of which have received military support from Assad's foreign enemies.

They have also been infuriated by an idea they say United Nations envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura had suggested to them in Geneva that Assad could stay on in power in a symbolic role.

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