Syrian opposition reiterates willingness for talks with Assad govt.

Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, who heads the National Coalition for Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, said on Monday that negotiating with Assad would not be treason.
 
On Wednesday, Khatib announced that he is ready for “direct discussions” with representatives of the Syrian government in Cairo, Tunis or Istanbul.
 
However, he added that there are “basic conditions” before holding talks with the Syrian officials over the crisis in the Arab country.
 
For the second time on Friday, Khatib said that the government should release prisoners as a gesture of goodwill in exchange for talks.
 
    The so-called Syrian National Coalition and other foreign-backed opposition groups have insisted in the past that President Bashar al-Assad must step down before any negotiations.
 
 
Many people, including large numbers of security forces, have been killed in the turmoil that erupted in Syria nearly two years ago.
 
In a key speech on January 6, Assad stated that Damascus was always ready to hold talks with the opposition and political parties and that he would call for a “comprehensive national dialog” after the terrorist activities stopped in the country.
 
The US and its allies, who are supporting the anti-Damascus militants with funds and weaponry, continue to demand the downfall of the Assad government.