The opposition Syrian National Council does not object to Russia coordinating the talks with the Syrian government.
“The Syrian opposition needs all the help there is. Considering the good relations between the Russian and Syrian nations, Russia has a good chance of playing this part,” George Sabra, a senior member of the council, told Interfax news agency on Tuesday.
His remarks come in the wake of talks between the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Moscow has offered its assistance to bridge a diplomatic gap between the ruling regime and opposition groups.
“We think Russia should provide a roadmap for such a dialogue. Then all the opposition groups can take corresponding steps. But no one will engage in a dialogue just for the dialogue’s sake,” added George Sabra.
But the council representative believes the veto Moscow used against the UN resolution on Syria would hamper its mediating role.
The Syrian National Council, based in Istanbul, positions itself as a government in exile.
The Council runs another oppositional group, the Free Syrian Army, a paramilitary comprised of Syrian Armed Forces defectors. The Army might win recognition as the only legitimate representative of the Syrian people in the Persian Gulf. The Gulf Cooperation Council, comprising Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Oman, is set to pass the act, reports The Saudi Gazette.
Views: 0