Syria: Key opposition group to join Geneva talks

The key Syrian opposition group has said it will join peace talks that have opened in Geneva.

The Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC) earlier said it would only join if Syrian government forces ended their air strikes and blockades.

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura has already met the Syrian government's delegation in the Swiss city.

More than 250,000 people have died and 11 million have fled their homes in almost five years of war in Syria.

Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from so-called Islamic State (IS).

The so-called proximity talks are expected to last for six months, with delegations sitting in separate rooms and UN officials shuttling between them.
 BBC
29/1/16