Bogdanov-Haddad talks zero in on preparations for Moscow meeting

Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov has discussed with Syria’s Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad  preparations for the preliminary consultative meeting  to be held between representatives of the Syrian Government and the opposition in Moscow by the end of next January.

The talks between Bogdanov and Haddad dealt with consultative communications between the Syrian government and the opposition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said in a statement released Tuesday.

The statement made clear that the communications will zero in on opportunities of holding comprehensive dialogue among Syrians to reach an urgent political solution to the crisis in Syria.

List of opposition members

In this context, the Beirut-based al-Mayadeen TV channel reported that the Syrian opposition members that will take part in Moscow meeting are-Fateh Jamos, Mohammad Fares, Nawwaf al-Melhem, Saleh Msallam, Mohammad Asfari, Ayman Asfari, Saleem Kherbek, Salah Darwesh, Mazen Maghrebeyeh, Hassan Abdulazim, Haitham Manna’a, Aref Dalila, Samir al-Eta,Qadri Jamil, Mo’az al-Khatib, Badr Jamous, AbdulahadAstifo, Hadi al-Bahra, Maya al-Rahbi, Sohir Sarmini, Majd Nyazi, Mays Kridi, Mona Ghanem, Randa Qessis.

Personal invitations were sent to the opposition members, al-Mayadeen reporter said, noting that the list of participants was put after agreement with the Syrian government.

It indicated that the Syrian government’s delegation to Moscow meeting will be the same delegation that took part in Geneva talks.

Syrians’ aspirations 

On December 27, The Syrian government confirmed in a statement made by a source at Foreign and Expatriates Ministry its willingness to participate in Moscow meeting that aims to agree on holding a dialogue conference among Syrians without any foreign intervention.

The source said: ” “Syria has always been and still ready for dialogue with those who believe in Syria’s unity, sovereignty  and independent decision in accordance with Syrian people’s will and aspirations to achieve security and peace and to stop the bloodshed in the country.”

Basma Qaddour