Assad’s opponents begin talks in Riyadh

RIYADH — Syria’s moderate opposition began a 3-day expanded meeting in Riyadh Tuesday. The Saudi-organized talks mark the first time representatives of Syria’s various political and opposition factions have gathered together since the outbreak of the country’s conflict in mid-2011. A Saudi Foreign Ministry source said invitations were extended to “all factions of the moderate Syrian opposition” including from all parties, sects and ethnic groups. Last month, top diplomats from 17 countries — including key international backers and opponents of Assad — agreed in Vienna on a fixed calendar for Syria that would see a transition government set up in six months and elections within 18 months. Some 100 delegates are expected to be attending the Riyadh talks. About 20 members of the Istanbul-based National Coalition, the main Syrian opposition grouping, are taking part in the meetings, which take place as leaders of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council converge on Riyadh for their annual summit on Wednesday. The deputy head of the National Coalition, which is recognized by much of the international community, Hisham Marwa, told AFP that unofficial preliminary talks were held Tuesday. Charles Lister, visiting fellow at the Brookings Doha Centre, told AFP that the talks aim “to go some way towards establishing an opposition negotiating team.” The Riyadh meeting is also “an attempt to establish a unified political structure between the recognized political opposition coalition and the armed opposition as a whole,” the analyst said. Syria’s political opposition, including the exiled National Coalition, has long been accused of being out of touch with forces on the ground. Groups supported by the United States, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are demanding Assad’s rapid departure, a condition that Iran and Russia oppose. The Syria-based opposition tolerated by the regime argues that Assad’s fate should be decided by the Syrian people. Marwa said there was some hope of moving forward at the talks. “I am optimistic about the presence of military and political figures. This is the real opposition... Those absent are a small number who will not affect the equation,” he said.