Syria rebels call for end to sieges to resume talks

London, Feb. 10: Sieges on cities across Syria must be lifted and airstrikes on civilian areas must stop if the Opposition is to resume talks in Geneva as planned on February 25, a top Opposition leader said on Wednesday.

“Before we go on February 25 those measures should be implemented in reality on the land,” Riad Hijab, chief coordinator of the Opposition High Negotiations Committee, said in London.

As well as the lifting of sieges on cities and towns, he listed letting aid through and stopping air strikes on civilian areas as conditions for attending the talks.

He was speaking through a translator after a meeting with British foreign secretary Philip Hammond.

Syrian peace talks were suspended this month until February 25 after UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said more work was needed to make progress.

Syria’s nearly five- yearold conflict has claimed 260,000 lives and displaced half the population.

The city of Aleppo is facing a major operation by government forces backed by Russian air raids.

The UN has warned that 300,000 people in the east of the city could be cut off from humanitarian aid if government forces encircle the area.

Following the meeting with Mr Hijab, Mr Hammond again urged a “genuine commitment” to peace talks.