Syrian opposition: To join Geneva talks on conditions

The Syrian opposition in exile agreed Monday to attend the Geneva peace conference but set as conditions the creation of humanitarian corridors and the release of detained rebels in the conflict-torn country. The Syrian National Coalition (SNC), the umbrella opposition group based in Istanbul, pressed the international community to push for humanitarian corridors leading to besieged areas and release of the rebels held by the Syrian government. Damascus is under international pressure to allow food and medical aid into blockaded areas, particularly after reports emerged about widespread hunger in the Damascus suburb of Moadamiyeh. The SNC reached the agreement in a vote early Monday morning after two days of meeting attended by more than 100 key members, according to a statement. It plans to hold a press conference later Monday. The coalition is also expected to approve a list of ministers presented by its interim Prime Minister, Ahmad Toumeh, who was elected in September. The statement insisted that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad step down in any future transitional government. "Assad will have no role in the transitional period and the future of Syria." The United States and Russia are trying to convene the talks in Geneva by the end of this year with an aim to end the 31-month conflict in Syria. However, SNC spokeman Khalid Saleh said that the United Nations is the only body entitled to organize the conference and set its agenda. "We are waiting the invitation from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon." He said that the coalition welcomes any political solution and is ready to go to Geneva. "We believe that political solution is the only way to stop the bloodshed ... and we are fully committed to the Geneva communique," referring to the document produced in the previous conference also held in the Swiss city in 2012. He added some coalition members will go to Syria for talks with other groups on a unified position to represent the broader opposition.