Syrian opposition hails US-Russian plan for peace

Syria’s opposition National Coalition Wednesday said it welcomed the US-Russian plan to hold a Syria peace conference in Geneva.

In a statement released in Istanbul after days of inconclusive meetings of the fractious umbrella group, the coalition said it would be willing to take part in the Geneva talks provided the international community commits to ensuring President Bashar al-Assad’s departure, spokesperson Bayan Khatib confirmed to dpa.

It was not clear from the statement if that commitment is a precondition to their participating in the talks.