Opposition Links Intra-Syrian Talks Termination With Russian Airstrikes

The resumption of Geneva negotiations should be preceded by the cessation of Russian airstrikes in Syria, head of the Syrian opposition's High Negotiations Committee, Riyad Hijab, said Wednesday.

LONDON (Sputnik) — Damascus and the Syrian opposition began UN-backed reconciliation talks in late January in Geneva, however the negotiations were later suspended.

"Measures should be taken before proceeding with the negotiation process," Hijab said following the meeting with UK Foreign Secretary, adding that one of such measures should be Russia's halt of its airstrikes in Syria.

Last week, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura decided to postpone the UN-backed talks on Syrian reconciliation as the parties were unable to reach a compromise on a number of issues. The opposition and government delegations blamed each other for the breakdown of the talks.

The negotiations, organized in line with the UN Security Council's December resolution that stipulated that the entire spectrum of political factions in the crisis-torn country should be brought to the negotiating table, are expected to resume on February 25.

Russia has been conducting an anti-terrorism aerial campaign in Syria since September 30 at the request of Damascus.