Syrian HNC Denies Reports of Disagreements Within Delegation to Peace Talks

There were not serious disagreements among members of the Syrian opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) over the issue of the necessity to continue the current round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva, according to HNC's member Monzer Makhous.

GENEVA (Sputnik) – The Syrian opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) refuted reports to Sputnik on Friday about disagreements within the delegation that led to its splitting.

On Wednesday, Sputnik learned from a source close to the HNC that the delegation had split over the issue of the necessity to continue the current round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva. Part of the delegation insists on the "uselessness of talks" while fighting in Syria continues, for which they blame the Syrian government. The other side says these talks are the only chance to move toward settlement. Most members of the HNC delegation left the talks.

"No, these were just technical issues. The decision was largely supported. Maybe two or three people [were not in favour of it] but these were not serious disagreements. The fact that we are leaving the delegation gradually is linked to the fact that everyone is going to different counties," HNC's member Monzer Makhous said, adding that only three or four people were expected to remain at the talks on Friday night.

The latest round of the intra-Syria talks kicked off on April 13, and was supposed to focus on Syria's political transition, governance, and new constitution.