Intra-Syrian Talks Could Be Held in Damascus Once Transitional Gov't Formed

GENEVA (Sputnik) — Peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition could be held in Damascus, once the transitional government in Syria has been formed and the UN resolutions on the country’s reconciliation have been implemented, a member of the opposition High Negotiations Committee’s (HNC) advisory board told Sputnik on Friday.

"The question of a transitional government is on the agenda [of the negotiations]. If the [UN] resolutions are implemented, the transitional government will take up this issue [of peace talks in Damascus] and not by means of negotiations: Syrians will be invited to a national conference, where they will elect the National Council or elect a president. If this is done, then why not," Yahya Aridi said, commenting on the possibility of moving the talks to Syria.

On Thursday, sources in Syrian delegations representing both the government and the opposition said the final round of peace talks and the signing of the deal on Syria’s reconciliation could be carried out in Damascus.

The intra-Syrian talks to settle the five-year civil war in Syria were resumed in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 14.