General Coordinator of the opposition’s High Negotiations Committee Riad Hijab said that conditions are not appropriate for the resumption of Geneva peace talks because of the Russia and the Assad regime’s continued breaches of the truce agreement.
Speaking at a press conference in Paris on Friday following his meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Hijab said that since the ceasefire took effect on February 27, the Assad regime and its allies carried out at least 90 airstrikes and targeted civilian areas with barrel bombs and chlorine gas.
The UN Security Council Resolution 2254, Hijab added, was not implemented: humanitarian aid did not reach affected areas, blockades were not lifted and detainees were not released.
However, Hijab said that peace talks would not be shelved completely, adding that “it is too early to say peace talks will never take place. We will decide on that after the meeting with the armed wings of our committee.”
Hijab called for setting up an international delegation to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire.
“Now, the ceasefire is not being implemented. Russia continues to bomb areas across Syria whilst giving guarantees for the ceasefire. It is not acceptable,” he added.
Hijab reiterated that the Syrian opposition would agree to a transition process without Assad, stressing that Assad cannot play a role in Syria’s future as his hands are soaked with the blood of the Syrian people.
“The humanitarian conditions are gradually worsening across the country, primarily in Madaya. There is a need for humanitarian aid, medicine and food,” Hijab went on.
Hijab concluded his remarks by stressing that the PYD is cooperating with the Assad regime, Russia and Iran. “The PYD is an arm of the regime and ally of Russia and Iran. This is clear,” he said. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Anadolu Agency)
