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             Syrian Opposition Meets to Weigh Proposed Peace Talks

   The main Syrian opposition coalition is meeting in Istanbul for three
   days of talks that will include its potential involvement in proposed
   peace talks with the Syrian government.
   The United States and Russia have been trying to organize such a
   conference next month in Geneva, with a plan to bring the two sides
   together and negotiate terms for an interim government for Syria.
   Syrian National Coalition member Louay Safi said Thursday the group
   still has questions about the talks, but remains opposed to allowing
   President Bashar al-Assad to take part in a future Syrian government.
   "We have a lot of unknowns about the Geneva conference. I mean, we are
   for any conference that helps transition the situation into an elective
   government away from the dictatorship, but that will be our condition
   -- we are not going to accept any negotiations that do not indicate
   that Assad is going to be out."
   The coalition`s meetings in Turkey follow a statement of support from
   top diplomats in the Friends of Syria group, who gathered Wednesday in
   Amman, Jordan to discuss the peace plan.
   In a joint statement, 11 nations stressed the need for a political
   solution in Syria, with a transitional government that would not
   include Mr. Assad, members of his government or associates with "blood
   on their hands."
   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged Mr. Assad to make "a
   commitment to find peace in his country."
   Russia has called for Iran to be included in the Geneva talks. But
   Kerry on Wednesday accused Iran of perpetuating what he called Mr.
   Assad`s "campaign of terror" by sending fighters to help Hezbollah
   militants fight alongside Syrian troops.
   The Friends of Syria statement denounced the involvement of foreign
   fighters in the Syrian conflict, expressing concern about the situation
   becoming a greater threat to regional stability.
   On Thursday, security officials said fighting overnight in neighboring
   Lebanon between factions supporting different sides of the Syrian
   conflict killed at least five people.
   The deaths happened in Tripoli, where frequent clashes have broken out
   since the Syrian crisis erupted more than two years ago. Officials said
   at least 16 people have been killed since the latest outbreak began
   Sunday.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-opposition-meets-to-weigh-proposed-peace-talks/1666655.html