Syrian Opposition's HNC Confirms Participation in Peace Talks in Geneva

The Syrian opposition’s High Negotiations Committee confirmed its participation in the new round of reconciliation talks.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Syrian opposition’s High Negotiations Committee (HNC) on Friday confirmed its participation in a fresh round of intra-Syria talks, scheduled for March 14, in a official statement.

"The HNC confirms its participation in the round of talks, which is expected to start on March 14 in Geneva," the HNC’s press service’s statement reads.

The first round of intra-Syrian talks, which started on January 29, involved a Syrian governmental delegation, the Syrian opposition’s High Negotiations Committee formed in Riyadh and an opposition delegation formed following meetings in Moscow and Cairo. On February 3, de Mistura decided to postpone the talks as the parties were unable to reach a compromise on a number of issues.

De Mistura told Sputnik earlier on Friday that new invitations for the upcoming peace talks would not be issued.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups.

Russia and the United States reached a deal on the cessation of hostilities in Syria on February 22. It came into effect on February 27. The truce excludes the Daesh and Nusra Front terrorist groups, both of which are outlawed in Russia.