Moscow criticizes US stance on Syrian opposition delegation based on Riyadh Conference

Moscow, SANA- Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized on Friday the United States’ stance on “the Syrian opposition delegation” to Geneva peace talks, based on Riyadh Conference, saying it contradicts the UNSC resolution No. 2254.

Zakharova was commenting on statements by Spokesman of the US Department of State Mark Toner, who claimed that the representative group of the opposition brought by Riyadh conference last December is legitimate and represents the
negotiators of the Syrian opposition.”

“The US stance on the Syrian opposition delegation contradicts what has been agreed upon during the meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and then supported by a unanimously accepted UN Security Council resolution adopted on
December 18, 2015,” Zakharova added.

She said that the Syrian settlement basic document made it clear that in order to have a comprehensive opposition delegation, it should take into account the meetings which were held in Moscow, Cairo and Riyadh as well as other similar initiatives.”

In a relevant context, Russian President’s special envoy, Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Bogdanov said earlier that the Syrian opposition should not put preconditions that could obstruct the inter-Syrian talks scheduled in Geneva, asserting that the Syrian opposition will bear a historic responsibility if it hinders the talks.

H. Zain/ Mazen

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