PM Davutoğlu meets Syrian opposition leader, reiterates Turkey’s support

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu met Riad Hijab, the head of the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), the main body of the Syrian opposition, in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday to discuss diplomatic solutions for resolving the Syrian crisis.

After the meeting, Davutoğlu said that the opposition's decision to attend the peace talks was a positive step and Turkey advised the opposition to bring forward its demands to the table.

The prime minister also said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia will continue to support the moderate Syrian opposition, adding that the regime and Daesh terror organization, which are responsible for barbaric massacres, are equally guilty.

According to a statement released by HNC's office, Hijab thanked Davutoğlu for Turkey's diplomatic efforts for a political transition to end the conflict and its support for Syrian people.

Hijab said that HNC delegation had travelled to Geneva only after they received written and verbal assurances from world powers that the opposition's demands that include a halt to attacks on civilian areas, the release of detainees and a lifting of blockades and delivery of humanitarian aid to war-torn areas in Syria would be addressed.

He added that the opposition would have to leave the peace talks if the UN and other international participants fail to stop the Assad regime's violation against the civilians.