QATAR: Syrian opposition groups holding talks in Doha say they're positive of reaching agreement on a new umbrella body uniting rebel groups inside and outside Syria

Record ID: 276463

  • Title: QATAR: Syrian opposition groups holding talks in Doha say they're positive of reaching agreement on a new umbrella body uniting rebel groups inside and outside Syria
  • Date: 8th November 2012
  • Summary: DOHA, QATAR (NOVEMBER 8, 2012) (REUTERS) HEAD OF SYRIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL, ABDULBASET SIEDA, LEAVING THE SECOND SESSION OF TALKS SYRIAN OPPOSITION FIGURES LEAVING UNITY TALKS SESSION SYRIAN OPPOSITION MEMBER RIAD SEIF LEAVING TALKS SEIF TALKING TO REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN OPPOSITION MEMBER, RIAD SEIF, SAYING: "The discussions are still going on, but the hopes
  • Embargoed: 23rd November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Qatar
  • Country: Qatar
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA5OLUXO5CMUX635RYM4UJFNN0V
  • Story Text: The mood was positive among Syrian opposition groups meeting in Doha on Thursday (November 8) to create a new umbrella body in preparation for a post-Assad era.
    Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani urged the Syrian opposition to set its personal disputes aside and unite, according to a source inside the closed-door session.
    The meeting has so far been bogged down by arguments over the Syrian National Council representation and the number of seats the rival groups, which include Islamists, leftists and secularists, will have.
    However, comments from representatives, speaking at the conclusion of talks on Thursday painted a positive picture.

    "The discussions are still going on, but the hopes to reach the results we are hoping for are very high,'' said Syrian opposition member Riad Seif.

    "There are many positive signs, the discussion is about how to join efforts between the SNC and the other opposition parties there, and we are happy to be one body that represents the whole Syrian people there," added Syrian National Council Board Member, Salem Al-Muslet.
    The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says more than 37,000 people have died since the uprising against Assad erupted in March 2011, first as a protest movement and then an armed rebellion after the regime cracked down on demonstrations.
    END
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register