Geneva II talks on Syria: key participants

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/24/geneva-ii-talks-syria-key-participants

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Lakhdar Brahimi

Representing the UN and the Arab League, Brahimi is one of the world's most experienced mediators. The Algerian diplomat, now 80, has been involved in conflict resolution from ending Lebanon's 15-year civil war to the Bonn negotiations on Afghanistan after 9/11 and the fall of the Taliban, as well as arranging Iraq's first free elections in 2004. He took over the Syria role after former UN secretary general Kofi Annan quit in frustration in August 2012. Renowned for his patience and creativity – will need both qualities in abundance to keep the Geneva II negotiating show on the road. "He feels a responsibility to try and help the Syrian people even though he has been criticised by all parties," says a colleague. "There's no thanks for his efforts."

Syrian government delegation

Walid al-Moallem

Syrian foreign minister since 2006. A member of the ruling Ba'ath party, he was ambassador to the US from 1990-2000, when Bashar al-Assad succeeded his father Hafez as president. Described the opposition as "traitors" and "terrorists" in his speech in Montreux on Wednesday. Spoke for more than 40 minutes and ignored calls by the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon to wind up his speech.

Faisal Miqdad

Deputy foreign minister. Anglophone and articulate. Regularly interviewed by foreign journalists visiting Damascus. Has accused western supporters of the Syrian opposition of effectively backing al-Qaida.

Bashar Jaafari

Syria's ambassador to the United Nations. Seen by western diplomats as potentially more inclined to compromise on the terms of the Geneva process than other colleagues. Talks hinge on the creation of a "transitional governing body" and Assad's future.

Syrian opposition delegation

Ahmad al-Jarba

President of the western-backed Syrian Opposition Coalition. A Sunni Muslim from the powerful Shammar tribe in the north-east. Supported by Saudi Arabia. Heads opposition delegation but may not lead it in talks as in protocol terms he is equivalent to Bashar al-Assad, who is staying in Damascus.

Haitham Maleh

Veteran Syrian democracy and human rights activist and former judge. Now 81, he is a highly respected opposition figure. First imprisoned in 1951. Detained numerous times under Hafez al-Assad and banned from leaving the country.

Michel Kilo

Leading opposition writer who has been arrested many times. A secular Christian from Latakia province, he was a key signatory of the Damascus declaration of 2005 which called for "peaceful and gradual" reform "founded on accord, and based on dialogue and recognition of the other".