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Syria conference announced, as suicide bomb kills dozens Syria conference announced, as suicide bomb kills dozens
(about 5 hours later)
An international conference aimed at ending Syria's civil war will be held in Geneva in late November, the head of the Arab League Nabil Elaraby said , after weeks of diplomacy to bring the opposing sides to the negotiating table. An international conference aimed at ending Syria's civil war will be held in Geneva in late November, the head of the Arab League, Nabil Elaraby, has said, after weeks of diplomacy to bring the opposing sides to the negotiating table.
Elaraby said the Geneva conference, which the US and Russia have been trying to convene for several months, would be held on 23-24 November.Elaraby said the Geneva conference, which the US and Russia have been trying to convene for several months, would be held on 23-24 November.
However, the Arab League-UN envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, said the timing of the conference has not been finalised. He said he must first visit Qatar and Turkey, two key supporters of the rebellion, and then meet US and Russian officials in Geneva before the final date will be announced. On the central issue of who will take part in the talks, Brahimi said the negotiations "will not be held without a credible opposition, representing an important part of opposition within Syrian people". However, the Arab League-UN envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, said the timing had not been finalised, and that he must visit Qatar and Turkey, key supporters of the rebellion, and then meet US and Russian officials in Geneva before the announcement of the final date. On the central issue of who will take part in the talks, Brahimi said the negotiations "will not be held without a credible opposition, representing an important part of opposition within Syrian people".
But at the same time, he said: "It is not important that all either armed or non-armed opposition join in the meeting as those who won't participate will be included in Geneva 2, the subsequent phase." The main western-backed umbrella opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition, is due to meet on 1 November to decide whether or not to attend the proposed Geneva– conference. One of the most prominent factions in the Coalition, the Syrian National Council, has said it has no faith in such talks and won't attend. But he added: "It is not important that all either armed or non-armed opposition join in the meeting as those who won't participate will be included in Geneva 2, the subsequent phase." The main western-backed umbrella opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition, is due to meet on 1 November to decide whether to attend the proposed Geneva conference. One of the most prominent factions in the coalition, the Syrian National Council, has said it has no faith in such talks and won't attend.
Many rebel fighters on the ground flatly refuse to negotiate with the regime. The government, meanwhile, has refused to talk with the armed opposition. Many rebels on the ground flatly refuse to negotiate with the regime. The government, meanwhile, has refused to talk to the armed opposition.
Speaking at Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Elaraby said that "many difficulties" face the proposed peace talks, but stressed that "it's time that the killings and the bloodshed stopped." The Geneva talks have been put off repeatedly for months, in part because of fundamental disagreements over Assad's fate. At Arab League headquarters in Cairo on Sunday, Elaraby said many difficulties lay ahead, but stressed: "It's time that the killings and the bloodshed stopped."
Meanwhile on Sunday, Syrian rebels drove a truck with more than a ton of explosives into a government post at the eastern entrance of Hama, the state news agency SANA said. Another truck carrying gasoline cylinders was caught up in the explosion, triggering a series of blasts. Footage aired on Syrian television showed rubble, flames and bodies on the ground. The Geneva talks have been put off repeatedly for months, in part because of fundamental disagreements over the fate of President Bashar al-Assad.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the al-Qaida-linked Jabhat al-Nusra had carried out the attack. SANA and the Observatory reported at least 30 people were killed. Also on Sunday, Syrian rebels drove a lorry with more than a tonne of explosives into a government post at the eastern entrance to the city of Hama, the state news agency Sana said. A petrol tanker was caught in the explosion, triggering a series of blasts. Footage on Syrian TV showed rubble, flames and bodies.
It was the second deadly assault on a checkpoint in two days. On Saturday, rebels led by fighters from Jabhat al-Nusra set off a car bomb at a checkpoint near Damascus, killing 16 soldiers. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the al-Qaida-linked Jabhat al-Nusra had carried out the attack. Sana and the Observatory reported at least 30 people had been killed. It was the second deadly assault on a checkpoint in two days. On Saturday, rebels led by fighters from Jabhat al-Nusra set off a car bomb at a checkpoint near Damascus, killing 16 soldiers.
Also Sunday, activists , said they were still searching for news of imprisoned Syrian women who were meant to be freed as part of an ambitious three-way hostage release deal that was implemented on Saturday. Also on Sunday, activists said that they were still searching for news of imprisoned Syrian women who were meant to be freed as part of an ambitious three-way hostage release deal implemented on Saturday. A pro-government newspaper, al-Watan, said 128 women had been released, citing media sources. But Syrian activists contacted throughout the country said they had not been able to confirm if any women had been freed. Under the deal, nine Lebanese Shia Muslims abducted in Syria and two Turkish pilots held hostage in Lebanon They returned home on Saturday night.
A pro-government Syrian newspaper, al-Watan, said Sunday 128 women were released, citing "media sources". But Syrian activists contacted throughout the country said they had not been able to confirm if any women were freed. The hostage deal released nine Lebanese Shiites abducted in Syria and two Turkish pilots held hostage in Lebanon. They returned home Saturday night.
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