Syrian opposition ready to speak directly with Damascus on certain terms - opposition's advisor
ASTANA. Jan 23 (Interfax) - Syrian opposition activists are ready to speak directly with Damascus on certain conditions, such as a ceasefire, the opposition delegation's advisor Yahya al-Aridi told Interfax.
"Of course, we are ready to speak with them [Damascus] if they comply with the truce, lift the siege of certain districts and release prison inmates. This regime has imprisoned 200,000 people. It could be a sign of good intentions, the first step to be taken by the regime," al-Aridi said.
He added that the aforesaid terms were actually not a precondition.
"This is not a precondition. This is the foundation of any successful negotiations, which should demonstrate signs of good intentions. This should comply with, correspond to what the Syrian opposition signed for on December 31. The ceasefire has not just been breached; in fact, the fire has never ceased. It goes on. Why are they breaching the agreement and wanting to sit down at the same time?" he said.
As to whether the delegation planned to meet with Damascus representatives tomorrow, al-Aridi said, "that depends on the format of negotiations. The meeting protocol has yet to be determined."