Syrian opposition groups to meet in Cairo

The Egyptian capital Cairo will host a meeting of Syrian opposition groups aimed at ending the crisis that has killed and displaced thousands of people during the last four years.

An opposition source said on Wednesday that opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government will hold a meeting in Cairo in order to arrive at a “joint vision” to end the nearly four-year war.

Munzer Khaddam of the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change said, “Several opposition groups and individuals have been in talks for more than two months, and we have been in contact with them to try to reach a joint vision to solve the crisis.”

Although Khaddam did not give a certain timetable, another opposition source said the meeting was expected to be held in mid-January, followed by another meeting in the Russian capital Moscow.

The meeting will come amid Russian efforts to resume the peace process, which would include talks between government officials and opposition members. Assad has announced he would back the Russian-sponsored talks.