BREAKING NEWS

Source: Syrian opposition yet to decide on talks, awaits answers from UN's Ban

BEIRUT - Syria's opposition is waiting for a response from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon over its demands including an end to bombardments and blockades after Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura told them implementation was beyond his powers, a source said.
The Syrian opposition has said it wants such steps implemented before the start of negotiations, which the United Nations aims to convene on Friday in Geneva in an indirect format. The opposition has yet to say whether it will attend.
The source, familiar with an opposition meeting in Riyadh, said de Mistura had answered the opposition saying implementation of the resolution was "beyond his authority" and that they were now awaiting a response from Ban.
The source declined to be identified because he is not a spokesman for the High Negotiations Committee.
The demands are also points set out in a UN Security Council resolution passed last month.