Al-Jaafari to Reuters: Intra-Syrian Dialogue Can Be Continued Despite “Riyadh Opposition” Boycott

Geneva- The Intra-Syrian talks in Geneva can be continued with other opposition groups although the “al-Riyadh opposition” delegation has announced suspension of its participation, Head of the Syrian Arab Republic’s delegation to the intra-Syrian dialogue in Geneva Bashar al-Jaafari has affirmed, according to the state news agency SANA.

 “The opposition is not only restricted to the Higher Commission for Negotiations formed in Saudi Arabia, al-Jaafari told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday, adding “If they wanted to boycott talks, they could do so, it is not a big problem for us because they are not the only representatives of the Syrian opposition.”

 He went on to say that the pretexts marketed by “al-Riyadh opposition” were not convincing, adding that the other groups in the opposition don’t evaluate the situation in the same way, so talks will continue with all possible flexibility.

“Al-Riyadh opposition delegation has stirred problems since the beginning of the process in Geneva and threatened to suspend talks or postpone them as they wait for the orders from their supporters in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar,” al-Jaafari said.

He added that “this is a political procrastination as you name it by the language of the UN; they delay in order to “blow up the talks as a whole.”