Syrian opposition backs Astana peace talks

By Selen Temizer and Adham Kako

ANKARA (AA) - The political representative committee for the Syrian opposition announced on Saturday that it would support Syrian peace summit in the Kazakh capital Astana on Jan. 23.

According to a written statement released after a two-day meeting in Riyadh, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) voiced its "readiness to support the military delegation to be formed by the opposition to attend the talks" and expressed "hope that the meeting would reinforce the truce."

The group also said Astana "paves the way for political talks" in Geneva on February 8, expressing gratitude for the countries that exert effort for Astana meeting.

Negotiations to reach a resolution to the six-year war in Syria are due to begin in Kazakhstan's capital Astana between the Syrian regime and opposition.

Following last month's Syria cease-fire deal, the Astana meeting comes as part of ongoing efforts by Turkey and Russia to promote a political solution in war-torn Syria.

Syria has been locked in a devastating civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests – which erupted as part of the Arab Spring uprisings – with unexpected ferocity.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have been killed and millions more displaced by the conflict.