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Syria peace talks: Syrian Foreign Minister calls opposition fighters 'traitors' Syria peace talks: Syrian Foreign Minister calls opposition fighters 'traitors'
(35 minutes later)
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.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.
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. The summit, which is being held in Montreux, Switzerland, is
Walid al-Moallem, Syria's Foreign Minister, said in his opening speech that neighbouring countries have worsened the situation by arming opposition forces. discussing the Geneva II document which lays out a
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". political transition plan for Syria. Chaired by the UN
Directly addressing the US Foreign Secretary, John Kerry, he also said that only Syrians have the right to remove President Bashar al-Assad. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the talks have brought members of
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." the Syrian regime and opposition around the table for the first
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. time since 2011.
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. Walid al-Moallem, Syria's Foreign Minister, said in his opening
Mr Ban told delegates that Syrians are responsible for the “formidable” challenge of ending the civil war in their country. speech that neighbouring countries have worsened the situation by
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. arming opposition forces.
“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. In his opening remarks, during which he clashed with Mr Ban over
 “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. whether he had exceeded the 20-minute time period allocated to each
But the Syrian National Coalition, the umbrella group representing the opposition, is in disarray, with little influence on rebel brigades fighting in Syria. speaker, Mr Muallem said some of the states attending the summit
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. had "Syrian blood on their hands".
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.” Directly addressing the US Foreign Secretary, John Kerry, he
also said that only Syrians have the right to remove President
Bashar al-Assad.
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."
The below gallery contains very graphic images released
by the authors of the report.  We have taken the decision to
publish these pictures to inform our readers of the alleged
abuses being carried out in Syria
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.
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.
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“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.
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 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.”
Additional reporting by APAdditional reporting by AP