Decision to extend intra-Syrian talks in Astana prerogative of guarantor countries and receiving side - Syrian opposition member
ASTANA. Jan 24 (Interfax) - The duration of the intra-Syrian talks in the Kazakh capital Astana depends on the guarantor countries and the receiving party, Syrian opposition delegation member Osama Abu Zaid said.
"As for an extension of the talks, it depends on the guarantor countries and the receiving side. I think that these countries are working on making this conference successful," he told reporters.
The main obstacle facing the conference is "continuing violations of the ceasefire regime and resettlement processes in a large number of districts in Syria," he said.
"There are lots of places, including Wadi Barada and Mahaja, where we have encountered the threat of the population's forced relocation to Idlib. Therefore, if the guarantor countries think that more time or additional time is needed in order to stop the murders and stabilize the ceasefire regime, then it depends on them," the opposition representative said.
The opposition's delegation did "not come to Astana in order just to spend two days there and leave," he said.
"We came here in order to achieve our goal - whether it will be reached within a day or two. The most important thing for us is to reach this goal with a precise and practical trajectory. The guarantor countries and the receiving country decided that non-direct talks would be better, and we respect this decision. We need to wait a little with a decision on a ceasefire as long as we are discussing the necessary mechanisms for a ceasefire. We cannot speak about any progress at the talks without progress on the ground," he said.