CAIRO – Arab states formally endorsed proposed peace talks to end the Syrian civil war that have been delayed by disputes between world powers and divisions among the opposition. A final communique after an emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers on Sunday called on the opposition swiftly to form a delegation under the leadership of the mainstream Syrian National Coalition, to attend the “Geneva 2” talks. The Geneva talks are meant to bring Syria's warring sides to the negotiating table, but many disputes still remain including the issue of whether Iran, Assad's biggest regional supporter, should attend. Opposition chief Ahmad Jarba told Arab foreign ministers the opposition coalition would not attend if Iran was there. He also said there had to be a clear time frame for Assad to leave power, and called for more weapons to be delivered to rebels fighting Assad. World powers are divided over Iran's participation in the talks. Tehran, which backs Assad's regime, has said it is ready to come and international envoy Lakhdar Brahimi says the United Nations would prefer Iran to attend. The Arab League, however, said only pressure from major powers could ensure a successful outcome in Geneva. In its communique it “reaffirmed the Arab position that demands the necessity of the required international guarantees to supervise and ensure the success of a peaceful solution at the Geneva 2 conference.” Opposition member Burhan Ghalioun told Reuters on Monday the communique showed “the Arab League's support for the Syrian opposition and the Syrian people in confronting ... Assad's regime and for Geneva 2 to be able to put forth a political solution that ends with the demise of the current regime and the emergence of the next one.” Brahimi has said he hoped the conference could still be held in the next few weeks despite the obstacles and said there should be no preconditions to attend the meeting. But rebels say they will consider any process which does not lead to the end of Assad's rule – and accountability for him and his supporters – as a betrayal of their campaign. – Reuters
