...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing...
following decade of diplomatic isolation
Syria’s opposition urged on Sunday the resumption of moribund United Nations
...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks...
-sponsored talks with the regime of Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir
Pencilneckal-Assad
Scourge of Qusayr...
, who has returned to the Arab fold after years of isolation.
"The international, regional and Syrian conditions provide an appropriate circumstance for the resumption of direct negotiations... under a specific agenda and timetable," the Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC) said in a statement.
Negotiations to resolve Syria’s crisis hit an impasse in 2018 over the opposition’s objection to Assad’s role in any political transition, and several rounds of subsequent UN-brokered talks aimed at forging a new constitution have failed.
The SNC, which includes representatives from main political opposition alliance the Syrian National Coalition, has been the key opposition delegation during previous rounds of talks in Geneva.
In a statement Sunday, following a two-day meeting in the Swiss city, the SNC called on "brotherly and friendly countries to support the efforts of the UN to take all necessary resolutions to fulfill a comprehensive political solution."
The statement’s authors called for a solution in line with UN Security Council resolution 2254, which set out a roadmap for a political transition.
Syria’s 12-year war broke out after Assad’s repression of peaceful anti-government demonstrations escalated into a deadly conflict that pulled in foreign powers and global jihadists.
The political opposition has lost much of its momentum, and support it once enjoyed from regional countries has waned.
Last month, regional leaders welcomed Assad back to the vaporous Arab League at a summit in Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
— his first appearance at the pan-Arab body since Syria was suspended in 2011 over its protest crackdown.
Riyadh, which supported Syrian rebel groups during earlier stages of the war, patched up ties with Damascus in recent months, while
...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire..., a major backer of rebel groups and the power in control of stretches of Syria’s north, has also made overtures to Assad.
The conflict has killed more than half a million people and displaced millions.
Recent Arab dialogue on Syria has stressed the importance of an "Arab leadership role" in finding a solution to the crisis.
UN special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said late last month that "new diplomatic activity in the region could be an opportunity, if seized."
He noted the need for "constructive Syrian engagement" and for "key regional and international groups and players" to work together, in an address to the UN Security Council.
The SNC warned that "giving the regime approval in returning to the Arab League... carries with it the danger" that the government will "refuse to proceed with the political solution."
Related:
Syrian Negotiation Commission: 2019-02-09 Turkey wants to turn Nusra into Syrian political group: opposition official
Syrian Negotiation Commission: 2018-01-31 Sochi congress agrees to set up Syrian constitutional commission
Syrian Negotiation Commission: 2019-02-09 Turkey wants to turn Nusra into Syrian political group: opposition official
Syrian Negotiation Commission: 2018-01-31 Sochi congress agrees to set up Syrian constitutional commission
Related:
Syrian National Coalition: 2023-05-08 What lies behind the rift between Syrian opposition’s two main governments?
Syrian National Coalition: 2023-03-28 Condemnation over killing 5 Kurds by SNA faction in Syria's Jindires continues
Syrian National Coalition: 2023-01-15 Crowd attacks Syrian rebel figure over reconciliation push
Syrian National Coalition: 2023-05-08 What lies behind the rift between Syrian opposition’s two main governments?
Syrian National Coalition: 2023-03-28 Condemnation over killing 5 Kurds by SNA faction in Syria's Jindires continues
Syrian National Coalition: 2023-01-15 Crowd attacks Syrian rebel figure over reconciliation push