Syrian Opposition Groups Unite Over Political Solution to Conflict

CAIRO, January 24 (Sputnik) — Representatives of Syria’s main opposition groups have reached an agreement that the Syrian conflict can only have a political solution, according to a joint statement released on Saturday.

“The purpose of the negotiation process is the transition to a democratic regime and civil sovereign state. The conflict in Syria can only have a national political solution,” the statement read. According to the agreement, the conflict resolution should be based on the Geneva peace talks.

The statement came after Syria’s largest opposition fractions, including the exiled Syrian National Coalition and the National Coordination Committee, held a two-day conference in Cairo.

A civil war broke out in Syria in 2011 following major anti-government protests. Government forces are currently battling a number of comparably moderate opposition rebels, as well as extremist groups such as Islamic State. According to UN estimates, nearly 200,000 people have been killed in the conflict, while millions have been displaced.

Two UN-backed conferences on Syrian conflict resolution were held in Geneva in 2012 and early 2014, failing to yield significant results.

Syrian government representatives and a number of opposition groups are scheduled to meet for talks in Moscow from January 26 to 29 after Russian authorities suggested holding an informal meeting to revive Syrian peace negotiations.