Government and opposition far apart over Assad before Syria peace talks

Syria's government on Saturday ruled out any discussion of the fate of the presidency at peace talks this week, just as the lead opposition negotiator said a political transition could not even start unless Bashar al-Assad was no longer president.

The statements reflected the huge challenges facing diplomats as they prepare for talks to resume in Geneva on Monday, trying to build on a ceasefire deal that has reduced violence sharply since Feb. 27.

Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem confirmed his government's participation but said the talks would fail if the opposition had "delusions that they will take power in Geneva that they failed to take in battle".

He also heaped criticism on U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura for already presenting an agenda for the talks and for saying that a presidential election would take place in 18 months.

"The government delegation will reject any attempt to put this on the agenda," Moualem told a televised news conference.

"We will not talk to anyone who talks about the position of the presidency ... I advise them that if this is their thinking, they shouldn't come to the talks."

Within hours, opposition negotiator Mohamad Alloush, already in Geneva, had described Moualem's comments as worthless.

"We consider that the transitional period starts with the fall of Bashar al-Assad or his death," he told reporters. "There's no possibility to start this period with the presence of this regime or the head of this regime in the power."

Another negotiator, Monzer Makhous, said Moualem was "putting the nails in the coffin of Geneva".

The talks will coincide with next week's fifth anniversary of a war that has killed more than 250,000 people, created the world's worst refugee crisis, and allowed for the expansion of the Islamic State militant group.

They are part of the first diplomatic push since the Russian air force intervened in September to support Assad, tilting the war his way and helping Damascus reclaim significant areas in the west.

Source: Reuters