This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25796643

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Syria opposition votes to attend Geneva II peace talks Syria opposition votes to attend Geneva II peace talks
(34 minutes later)
Syria's main political opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), has agreed to attend next week's so-called Geneva II peace talks, to be held in Montreux. Syria's main political opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), has agreed to attend next week's so-called Geneva II peace talks, to be held in Montreux, Switzerland.
Its representatives took the decision at a meeting in the Turkish city, Istanbul. US Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed the decision, taken at talks in Istanbul, calling it "courageous".
The aim of the talks is to start the process of setting up a transitional government to end the war in Syria. The aim of Geneva II is to start the process of setting up a transitional government to end the war in Syria.
The three-year conflict has claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people.The three-year conflict has claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people.
An estimated two million people have fled the country and some 6.5 million have been internally displaced.An estimated two million people have fled the country and some 6.5 million have been internally displaced.
'Essential process''Essential process'
Of the delegates who voted, 58 were in favour, 14 were against, while one abstained.Of the delegates who voted, 58 were in favour, 14 were against, while one abstained.
The coalition's leader, Ahmad Jarba, said it was going to the talks "without any bargain regarding the principles of the revolution and we will not be cheated by [President Bashar al-] Assad's regime".The coalition's leader, Ahmad Jarba, said it was going to the talks "without any bargain regarding the principles of the revolution and we will not be cheated by [President Bashar al-] Assad's regime".
"The negotiating table for us is a track toward achieving the demands of the revolution - at the top of them, removing the butcher from power," he said."The negotiating table for us is a track toward achieving the demands of the revolution - at the top of them, removing the butcher from power," he said.
Mr Kerry said in a statement: "This is a courageous vote in the interests of all the Syrian people who have suffered so horribly under the brutality of the Assad regime and a civil war without end."
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says Western powers will be relieved at the vote, although it is less than the display of unanimity the advocates of the talks had hoped for.The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says Western powers will be relieved at the vote, although it is less than the display of unanimity the advocates of the talks had hoped for.
Syrian opposition figures had earlier expressed reluctance to go to Switzerland unless President Assad was excluded from any future transitional government.Syrian opposition figures had earlier expressed reluctance to go to Switzerland unless President Assad was excluded from any future transitional government.
Syria says there cannot be any pre-conditions.Syria says there cannot be any pre-conditions.
Last week, Syria's National Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar said no-one should expect a breakthrough at the talks, adding: "The solution has begun and will continue through the military triumph of the state."Last week, Syria's National Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar said no-one should expect a breakthrough at the talks, adding: "The solution has begun and will continue through the military triumph of the state."
However, Syria on Friday did offer a prisoner exchange with rebels and Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said he had also presented a ceasefire plan for the second city Aleppo during talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.However, Syria on Friday did offer a prisoner exchange with rebels and Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said he had also presented a ceasefire plan for the second city Aleppo during talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
In another possible gesture of goodwill, the Syrian government allowed the first aid in months to be delivered to the besieged Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk in Damascus on Saturday.In another possible gesture of goodwill, the Syrian government allowed the first aid in months to be delivered to the besieged Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk in Damascus on Saturday.
US Secretary of State John Kerry had urged the opposition to join the 21 January talks. Mr Kerry had previously urged the opposition to join the 21 January talks, arguing that they were aimed at establishing a process necessary for the formation of a transitional governing body in Syria.
"It is about establishing a process essential to the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers, established by mutual consent," Mr Kerry said.
Mr Lavrov is keen for Iran to be part of the peace talks, but Mr Kerry has said that Tehran must first agree to the Geneva I communique which calls for a political transition in Syria.Mr Lavrov is keen for Iran to be part of the peace talks, but Mr Kerry has said that Tehran must first agree to the Geneva I communique which calls for a political transition in Syria.