Press release

Foreign Secretary welcomes progress by Syrian opposition groups

Philip Hammond congratulates Riyadh Conference’s commitment to a unified Syria

From:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Philip Hammond
Published
11 December 2015
This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond welcomed agreement by a wide spectrum of Syrian Opposition leaders on a negotiating committee and vision which helps pave the way to negotiations to end the Syrian conflict.

Mr Hammond said:

I congratulate Syrian Opposition leaders and their hosts, Saudi Arabia, on bringing together a broad and inclusive group of Oppositionists to affirm their vision for Syria, develop a clear approach to negotiations with the regime, and appoint a negotiating committee which will now prepare the way ahead.

I welcome the Riyadh Conference’s commitment to a unified and pluralistic Syria and its rejection of terrorism in all its forms.

The UK will continue to play our full part in the International Syria Support Group established to ensure a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition based on the Geneva Communiqué of 2012, and to an ambitious but clear timetable. This conference was an important step ahead of the next International ISSG Meeting next week.

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Published 11 December 2015