This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/22/syrian-sectarianism-entrenched-william-hague

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Syrian sectarianism becoming entrenched, says William Hague Syrian sectarianism becoming entrenched, says William Hague
(35 minutes later)
Sectarianism in Syria will become entrenched as extremist forces tighten their grip if the conflict is allowed to continue, William Hague has warned. Sectarianism in Syria will become entrenched if the conflict is allowed to continue as extremist forces tighten their grip, William Hague has warned.
The British foreign secretary, who is convening talks in London on Tuesday to persuade Syrian opposition forces to join peace negotiations in Geneva, said the conflict has reached an impasse in which neither side can win.The British foreign secretary, who is convening talks in London on Tuesday to persuade Syrian opposition forces to join peace negotiations in Geneva, said the conflict has reached an impasse in which neither side can win.
Hague told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4: "The longer the conflict this goes on, the more sectarian it becomes, the more extremists are able to take hold. That is why we are making this renewed effort to get a Geneva peace process going."Hague told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4: "The longer the conflict this goes on, the more sectarian it becomes, the more extremists are able to take hold. That is why we are making this renewed effort to get a Geneva peace process going."
The foreign secretary was speaking shortly before the opening of talks in London, to be attended by 11 foreign ministers from the Friends of Syria group, which aim to persuade the Syrian National Council to join the Geneva II peace talks.The foreign secretary was speaking shortly before the opening of talks in London, to be attended by 11 foreign ministers from the Friends of Syria group, which aim to persuade the Syrian National Council to join the Geneva II peace talks.
President Bashar al-Assad's regime has been invited to the Geneva talks, which will be convened by the US and Russia. The umbrella Syrian National Coalition has agreed to attend the Geneva talks but the National Council refuses to engage with the Assad regime.President Bashar al-Assad's regime has been invited to the Geneva talks, which will be convened by the US and Russia. The umbrella Syrian National Coalition has agreed to attend the Geneva talks but the National Council refuses to engage with the Assad regime.
Assad dismissed the opposition groups and the chances of any progress at the Geneva talks, which are meant to open by the middle of next month. No firm date has been settled.Assad dismissed the opposition groups and the chances of any progress at the Geneva talks, which are meant to open by the middle of next month. No firm date has been settled.
Assad told Lebanon's Aal-Mayadeen television station: "Who are the groups that will participate? What is their relation with the Syrian people? Do they represent the Syrian people or they represent the country that made them?" Assad told Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television station: "Who are the groups that will participate? What is their relation with the Syrian people? Do they represent the Syrian people or they represent the country that made them?"
The Assad regime alleges that the opposition groups are agents of western and Arab powers. "There are many questions about the conference," he said.The Assad regime alleges that the opposition groups are agents of western and Arab powers. "There are many questions about the conference," he said.
But Hague said it was important to press ahead with the talks to encourage mainstream groups in the face of the threat posed by extremist groups as the Syrian conflict enters an impasse.But Hague said it was important to press ahead with the talks to encourage mainstream groups in the face of the threat posed by extremist groups as the Syrian conflict enters an impasse.
He said: "There are people fighting for extreme groups, not necessarily because of extreme views but because that gives them access to weapons and training and so on – all the more reason why we have to help the moderate opposition in Syria. Neither side is winning this conflict militarily. Neither is able to conquer the other."He said: "There are people fighting for extreme groups, not necessarily because of extreme views but because that gives them access to weapons and training and so on – all the more reason why we have to help the moderate opposition in Syria. Neither side is winning this conflict militarily. Neither is able to conquer the other."
The Syrian National Coalition is due to meet on 1 and November in Istanbul to decide whether to take part in the Geneva talks. The Syrian National Council, a major faction in the coalition, is refusing to participate because it rejects negotiations with the Assad regime. The Syrian National Coalition is due to meet on 1 November in Istanbul to decide whether or not to take part in the Geneva talks. The Syrian National Council, a major faction in the coalition, is refusing to participate because it rejects talks with Assad.
Assad appeared so confident in his television interview that he even spoke of standing again as president next year. He said: "I don't see any reason that prevents me from running for the next elections. It is still early to talk about it. We can only discuss it at the time when the presidential elections date is announced."Assad appeared so confident in his television interview that he even spoke of standing again as president next year. He said: "I don't see any reason that prevents me from running for the next elections. It is still early to talk about it. We can only discuss it at the time when the presidential elections date is announced."
Hague dismissed any role for Assad even if a peace deal is agreed. He said: "Even if Assad was able to militarily defeat all elements of the opposition it is inconceivable that somebody who has slaughtered so many and presided over the destruction of his country would then once again be able to preside peacefully over it in the future."Hague dismissed any role for Assad even if a peace deal is agreed. He said: "Even if Assad was able to militarily defeat all elements of the opposition it is inconceivable that somebody who has slaughtered so many and presided over the destruction of his country would then once again be able to preside peacefully over it in the future."
But Hague indicated that Iran, Assad's key patron, could play a role. "It is important that Iran play a more constructive role. I have discussed the situation in Syria with the new Iranian foreign minister. Hague indicated that Iran, Assad's key patron, could play a role. "It is important that Iran play a more constructive role. I have discussed the situation in Syria with the new Iranian foreign minister.
"I have put it to him that Iran should be starting from the same position as the rest of us – from last year's Geneva agreement which is that there should be a transitional government in Syria made up of regime and opposition, by mutual consent."I have put it to him that Iran should be starting from the same position as the rest of us – from last year's Geneva agreement which is that there should be a transitional government in Syria made up of regime and opposition, by mutual consent.
"And that is the way forward to political dialogue, to free elections in Syria. If Iran could start from that position as well as the rest of us then Iran would be more easily included in international discussions on this subject. He didn't rule out that Iran would do that.""And that is the way forward to political dialogue, to free elections in Syria. If Iran could start from that position as well as the rest of us then Iran would be more easily included in international discussions on this subject. He didn't rule out that Iran would do that."
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.