Western diplomatic sources have revealed that Moscow told Qadri Jamil, the former Deputy Prime Minister, that he is not acceptable as an opposition delegate at the upcoming Geneva II talks.
However, the sources said, Russia does not mind if he was part of the delegation representing the government.
The sources pointed out that Russia wanted Jamil among the representatives of the opposition, but that the U.S. informed he could not join the opposition delegation.
The sources added that "the U.S. administration is in contact with various moderate opposition figures, to hear their opinion in order to achieve the formation of the delegation, which will negotiate with regime's representatives in Switzerland.".
The sources pointed out that opposition figures, such as Haytham Manna, are also unacceptable for the opposition delegation and will therefore “not be invited to attend with the opposition delegation.”
The sources confirmed that communications are still ongoing with opposition figures like Michel Kilo, Burhan Ghalioun and Aref Dalila, and that there is hope that the opposition's delegation will also include Syrian female activists.
The sources said that the U.S. administration and Russia have a common interest in terms of forming a moderate force to contribute to assist the Syrian army in preventing the fall of Syria into the hands of extremists and terrorists.
Translated and edited by the Syrian Observer
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