HNC Participation in Syria Peace Talks 'Useless' Until Situation Improves

© REUTERS / Denis Balibouse/FilesThe delegation of the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) and U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura are seen at the start of a meeting during Syria peace talks at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, in this March 17, 2016 file photo
The delegation of the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) and U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura are seen at the start of a meeting during Syria peace talks at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, in this March 17, 2016 file photo - Sputnik International
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Further participation of the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) of the Syrian Opposition in Geneva peace talks is of no use unless the international community takes steps to address the humanitarian situation in the country, HNC member Naser Hariri told Sputnik on Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The latest round of Syrian peace talks is coming to an end on Wednesday, with no success in reaching agreement or establishing direct negotiations between Syria's opposition and Damascus. The next round of talks has not been scheduled so far.

"Participation in the next round depends on actions by the international community toward improving the humanitarian situation. If it remains the same, if there is no progress in ceasing hostile actions, if the regime continues daily massacres while the political process remains at a standstill, I think that participation will be of no use," Hariri said.

Syria's National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, which is one of Syria's main opposition umbrella groups, is set to discuss the political situation and the result of the Geneva talks on Thursday before finalizing its position, Hariri added.

Riad Hijab, chief coordinator High Negotiations Committee (HNC) addresses a news conference aside of Syria peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, April 19, 2016. - Sputnik International
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The international community's backing of an enlarged national government as the first phase of the transition favored by Damascus would also render further HNC participation useless, he stressed.

The latest round of the proximity talks started on April 13. The Saudi-backed HNC put its participation in the talks on hold on April 18, citing the recent serious violations of the ceasefire and the deteriorating situation with humanitarian aid access in the country.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura decided to continue the current round of talks in Geneva until April 27 with the remaining participants, namely the Damascus delegation and the Moscow-Cairo and Hmeimim groups of the Syrian internal opposition.

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