Russia expects Syrian opposition to participate in Geneva II conference

Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday Russia hopes the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition (SNC) could fulfill its promise to participate in the Geneva-II conference.

"We hope that the SNC would implement the decision made in Istanbul about participation in a wide intra-Syrian dialogue based on Geneva Communique and it would follow the example of other sides, in particular, Syrian government, National Coordination Committee, Supreme Council of Syrian Kurds and others," the ministry said in an online statement.

A meeting of the General Assembly of the exiled SNC took place on Nov. 9-11. The SNC, a main umbrella opposition group, said Saturday it was waiting for a United Nations invitation to the Geneva conference aimed to end the 31-month conflict in Syria but reiterated Monday that it had agreed to join the conference on condition that President Bashar al-Assad plays no role in a transitional government.

Moscow noted that the Geneva Communique, approved by the UN Security Council resolution 2118, remained the only base for the Geneva-II conference.

"Moscow firmly supported and supports the soonest possible cessation of violence and bloodshed in Syria and the transition to a peaceful political settlement," said the ministry, adding everything brings such prospect closer through an international conference with participation of the Syrian government and opposition groups will be welcomed.

Russia also warned the SNC against keeping putting preconditions for its participation in the Geneva-II conference.