Syria on Thursday said that the representatives of the armed groups (‘opposition’ High Negotiations Committee) are taking UN-backed peace talks “hostage” over its refusal to include terrorism on the agenda, insisting the HNC would be responsible if negotiations fail.

“Progress in the Geneva round must not be held hostage by the Riyadh platform”, lead Syrian negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari told reporters, referring to the Saudi-backed HNC, vowing the opposition “will be responsible for any failure of the Geneva talks.”

Source: SANA