Little optimism as Syrian opposition heads to Geneva talks
- 10 years ago
This has served as the backdrop for Syrian peace talks in Switzerland which will move to Geneva Friday.
Security is tight as Syria's government and opposition, meeting for the first time, vented mutual hostility Wednesday.
Iran, which backs the Syrian government is not represented at the talks, but President Hassan Rouhani attending the nearby World Economic Forum in Davos is calling for free elections in Syria. It's a suggestion that is not going down well as the Syrian opposition heads to Geneva.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE SYRIAN NATIONAL COALITION, BADR JAMOUS, SAYING:
"Rouhani's comments that the Geneva conference will not yield results and that fair elections are the only solution, I am surprised at such comments from a politician. What elections is he talking about? Who will vote in them? The seven million refugees in Turkey and Jordan and Lebanon or those who are drowning in sea or those who ended up in Libya or Egypt? Or those under
Security is tight as Syria's government and opposition, meeting for the first time, vented mutual hostility Wednesday.
Iran, which backs the Syrian government is not represented at the talks, but President Hassan Rouhani attending the nearby World Economic Forum in Davos is calling for free elections in Syria. It's a suggestion that is not going down well as the Syrian opposition heads to Geneva.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE SYRIAN NATIONAL COALITION, BADR JAMOUS, SAYING:
"Rouhani's comments that the Geneva conference will not yield results and that fair elections are the only solution, I am surprised at such comments from a politician. What elections is he talking about? Who will vote in them? The seven million refugees in Turkey and Jordan and Lebanon or those who are drowning in sea or those who ended up in Libya or Egypt? Or those under