A Saudi backed Syrian opposition delegation met the UN special envoy to Syria Staffon de Mistura for the first time with demands for tangible actions on humanitarian issues before participating in political negotiations.
Speaking from Geneva, where the peace-talks were meant to commence on Friday, a member of the opposition negotiation delegation Bassma Kodmani, said,
“We only came to Geneva after receiving assurances and commitments and we have precise commitments on the fact that there would be serious progress on the humanitarian situation. We can’t start political negotiations until we have those gestures in place.”
UN sponsored peace-talks temporarily stalled last week after Syrian opposition leaders expressed discontent at the failure to secure commitments of ending airstrikes and sieges on opposition held areas.
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