Progress on humanitarian file must for any serious negotiations

The Syrian opposition is still insisting that it will not hold any negotiations in Geneva on the Syrian crisis, whether direct or indirect, until a tangible progress is realized on the ground towards the humanitarian file.

The opposition delegation will remain in Geneva and hold talks with UN envoy Staffan de Mistura but no negotiations with the Syrian regime representatives will be held till relevant UN resolutions on the humanitarian file are put into effect, spokesman for the opposition delegation Salem al Meslet said a press conference here.

He criticized the Russian interference, saying the opposition is not fighting the Syrian regime alone but it is also fighting what he called "the Russian and Iranian occupation".

"We will remain in Geneva for few days till we see some measures on the ground as regards the humanitarian file," he added.

He added that he received assurances from the UN envoy that there will be progress on the humanitarian file.

A 17-strong team representing Syria's Higher Negotiation Committee (HNC) arrived in Switzerland on Saturday to take part in Geneva negotiations aiming at finding a solution to key issues, including elections and Constitution.

Source: MENA