Syria Opposition Groups, Assad Gov't to Participate in Future Talks

© AFP 2023 / ZEIN AL-RIFAAn unidentified photographer stands next to rebel fighters from Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam) holding a position behind a sand barrier on August 25, 2015, on the frontline in the Bashkoy area, on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, where opposition fighters are battling Syrian pro-government forces
An unidentified photographer stands next to rebel fighters from Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam) holding a position behind a sand barrier on August 25, 2015, on the frontline in the Bashkoy area, on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, where opposition fighters are battling Syrian pro-government forces - Sputnik International
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Representatives from Syrian opposition groups, as well as officials from the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad will take part in future talks on settling a conflict in the country, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said in a briefing on Friday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The White House confirmed earlier on Friday that the US government would send up to 50 advisors into Syria to advise and assist in the fight against the Islamic State.

“Obviously, there will be a time and a place when the opposition groups will be represented [during talks] and probably the Assad regime as well,” Kirby said. “We are just not there yet.”

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari (R) speaks during a news conference with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Baghdad, October 18, 2014 - Sputnik International
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Kirby noted that the international community should come to a consensus about a path forward prior to including the Syrians in the negotiations process.

Earlier on Friday, 19 participants of the international talks on the Syrian crisis in Vienna – including the United States, Russia and Iran — agreed to work to guarantee Syria’s integrity and sovereignty under a secular government.

The negotiators on the settlement of the Syrian conflict have also discussed ceasefire terms without setting specific dates, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that Russia does not insist on Assad staying in power as his political future must be decided by the Syrian people. Lavrov made the statement in a joint news conference with US State Secretary John Kerry and UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura following the talks in Vienna.

Kirby underscored that

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