Alkhatib urges Assad to take part in talks

Syrian opposition leader Moaz Alkhatib urged president Bashar al-Assad yesterday to respond to his initiative for dialogue, saying…

Syrian opposition leader Moaz Alkhatib urged president Bashar al-Assad yesterday to respond to his initiative for dialogue, saying it was aimed at ending the bloodshed and helping “the regime leave peacefully”.

Speaking after meeting senior Russian, US and Iranian officials at the weekend, Alkhatib said none of them had a plan to end the civil war and Syrians must find their own resolution.

“The big powers have no vision . . . Only the Syrian people can decide on the solution,” the Syrian National Coalition leader told Al Jazeera television.

The moderate Islamist preacher announced last week he was prepared to talk to Assad’s representatives.