A Syrian group representing the opposition to President Bashar Al Assad has called for the resumption of peace talks with his government, after the country was readmitted into the Arab League.
Negotiations around the conflict in Syria have stalled, with several UN-brokered talks failing to resolve the crisis.
“The recent active movement on the Syrian issue creates suitable circumstances to resume direct talks,” the High Negotiations Committee said after a meeting in Geneva.
The gathering was attended by representatives of the US and other western countries, as well as Qatar and Egypt, bolstering the opposition. UN Syria envoy Geir Pedersen was also at the meeting.
Ideological differences, interference by outside powers and gains on the ground for Mr Assad and his pro-Iranian militia allies since the 2015 Russian intervention have vastly undermined his opponents.
The opposition gained wide Arab and western backing in the initial years after the 2011 Syrian revolt against Mr Assad's 23-year rule.
Last month, Mr Assad attended an Arab summit in Jeddah, weeks after the Arab League restored the membership of Syria, suspended after the regime sent tanks into cities in 2011 to crush a revolt against him.
By the end of the year, the revolt had been militarised and Syria slipped into civil war. Most of the country separately fell under the influence of Russia, Iran, the US and Turkey.
UN-supervised peace talks to end the war, which were supposed to produce a Transitional Governing Body, have been in tatters since 2017, partly because of differences between international powers backing different actors in the conflict.
Two years ago, Mr Assad held elections for a fourth term, which he won with 95 per cent of the vote in elections that western countries branded as a sham.
The 34-member High Negotiations Committee said the Syria peace process should remain based on UN Resolution 2254, passed in 2015.
It calls for an undefined political transition and the release of prisoners, as well as other measures designed to curb authoritarian rule and UN-designated terrorist groups in the country.
Applying the resolution “totally and firmly” would “wipe out terrorism and achieve civil peace, and guarantee the withdrawal of militias and foreign troops from Syrian territory,” the committee said.
The committee also criticised the league for not mentioning at the last summit resolution 2254, in its call to resolve the conflict.
Many of the committee's members are connected with outside players.
'The right tactical move'
Most committee members belong to the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces or have links to the Istanbul-based group.
The remaining members comprise of a Turkish-backed Kurdish group and three others that do not advocate for Mr Assad’s removal – the so-called Cairo and Moscow platforms and figures who live in Syrian regime areas.
Ayman Abdel Nour, a veteran Syrian political commentator, said the committee made a smart political move by reaffirming the opposition's commitment to the UN peace process at a time when Turkey, Russia and some Arab states want to implement their own versions of a solution.
“The opposition wanted to prove that they are still relevant and united, and that and that that the only solution is a UN one,” Mr Abdel Nour said.
“Their emphasis on Resolution 2254 is not only just,” he said. “It is the right tactical move.”
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
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Results
International 4, United States 1
Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods (US) beat Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann (International) 4 and 3.
Adam Hadwin and Sungjae Im (International) beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (US) 2 up.
Adam Scott and Byeong Hun An (International) beat Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau (US) 2 and 1.
Hideki Matsuyama and C.T. Pan (International) beat Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed (US) 1 up.
Abraham Ancer and Louis Oosthuizen (International) beat Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland (US) 4 and 3.
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
English Premiership semi-finals
Saracens 57
Wasps 33
Exeter Chiefs 36
Newcastle Falcons 5
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The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
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