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Syria UN Peace talks: Syrian Foreign Minister calls opposition fighters 'traitors' Syria peace talks: Syrian Foreign Minister calls opposition fighters 'traitors'
(about 1 hour later)
The Syrian Foreign Minister has accused opposition fighters in the country of being traitors and agents of its enemy Israel, as peace talks begin in Montreux, Switzerland. The Syrian Foreign Minister accused opposition fighters of being traitors and agents of its enemy Israel, as bitter accusations from both sides marred the beginning of peace talks aimed at bringing the conflict to an end.
Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem also said that neighbouring countries have worsened the situation by giving the opposition, who are attempting to overthrow the government, arms and fighters. The summit, which is being held in Montreux, Switzerland, is discussing the Geneva II document which lays out a political transition plan for Syria. Chaired by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the talks have brought members of the Syrian regime and opposition around the table for the first time since 2011.
Directly addressing US Foreign Secretary John Kerry, he also said that only Syrians have the right to remove President Bashar al-Assad. Walid al-Moallem, Syria's Foreign Minister, said in his opening speech that neighbouring countries have worsened the situation by arming opposition forces.
Syrian opposition leader Ahmad Jarba told delegates that there can be no talk of Mr al-Assad staying in power, and accused the President's forces of supporting al-Qa'ida on the ground in Syria. He also urged Mr al-Assad's delegation to transfer power to an interim governing body. In his opening remarks, during which he clashed with Mr Ban over whether he had exceeded the 20-minute time period allocated to each speaker, Mr Muallem said some of the states attending the summit had "Syrian blood on their hands".
Their words come after Mr Kerry said Mr al-Assad would have no place in the transitional government that is the stated goal of the peace talks. Directly addressing the US Foreign Secretary, John Kerry, he also said that only Syrians have the right to remove President Bashar al-Assad.
Diplomats from the world’s most powerful countries gathered at the talks on Wednesday, which commenced with an address by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Mr Kerry had earlier said that President Assad could have no place in a transitional government. "We see only one option, negotiating a transition government born by mutual consent," Mr Kerry said. "That means that Assad will not be part of that transition government. There is no way, no way possible, that a man who has led a brutal response to his own people can regain legitimacy to govern."
Ahmad Jarba, the head of the Syrian National Coalition, demanded that Mr Assad be removed from office and accused the regime's forces of supporting al-Qa'ida on the ground in Syria. He also urged Mr Assad's delegation to transfer power to an interim governing body.
Diplomats from the world’s most powerful countries have gathered for the talks. Around 40 foreign ministers will address the summit today ahead of direct Syrian talks, which are due to begin in Geneva on Friday.
Mr Ban told delegates that Syrians are responsible for the “formidable” challenge of ending the civil war in their country.Mr Ban told delegates that Syrians are responsible for the “formidable” challenge of ending the civil war in their country.
He urged the Bashar al-Assad’s government and the Western-backed opposition fighters to enter into negotiations in good faith as they meet in person for the first time. He urged the President Assad’s government and the Western-backed opposition fighters to enter into negotiations in good faith as they meet in person for the first time.
“We know that it has been an extremely difficult path to reach this point. We have lost valuable time and many, many lives,” Mr Ban gettsaid. “We know that it has been an extremely difficult path to reach this point. We have lost valuable time and many, many lives,” Mr Ban said.
 “Let me not mince words, the challenges before you and before all of us are formidable. But your presence here raises hope,” he added in his opening speech. “Let me not mince words, the challenges before you and before all of us are formidable. But your presence here raises hope,” he added in his opening speech.
But the Syrian National Coalition, the umbrella group representing the opposition, is in disarray, with little influence on rebel brigades fighting in Syria.But the Syrian National Coalition, the umbrella group representing the opposition, is in disarray, with little influence on rebel brigades fighting in Syria.
Iran, which is one of President Bashar Assad's major backers, was excluded from the talks on Monday, and has already said the talks will fail. Iran, which is one of President Assad's major backers, was excluded from the talks on Monday, and has already said the talks will fail.
The official Iranian news agency IRNA reported that President Hassan Rouhani said that hopes for the talks succeeding are slim “because of the lack of influential players in the meeting.”The official Iranian news agency IRNA reported that President Hassan Rouhani said that hopes for the talks succeeding are slim “because of the lack of influential players in the meeting.”
The talks in Switzerland continue. 
Additional reporting by APAdditional reporting by AP