PHOTO: The head of the Assad regime’s delegation, UN Ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari

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Syria’s opposition-rebel bloc has called for a “serious” regime delegation in political talks in Geneva, following a declaration by the delegation’s head that he will not talk to the opposition’s senior negotiator.

The Higher Negotiations Committee said the Assad regime should send a group which “can take decisions in the hot matters” and the application of UN resolutions.

On Wednesday, Syria’s UN Ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari refused any discussions with the HNC’s Mohammad Alloush, a rebel commander: “We will not engage with this terrorist in direct talks, with this terrorist in particular, and so there won’t be any direct talks unless this terrorist apologizes and also shaves off his beard.”

“Jaafari doesn’t have a decision [here],” HNC spokesman Salem al-Muslet said. “We need a higher rank team…a team that can make a decision right here in Geneva because we can make a decision on behalf of our people.”

Despite the opposition-rebel statement, de Mistura maintained optimism: “The good news is that I believe the proximity talks have clearly contributed to keeping the talks going with no walk outs, no excessive rhetoric, some discussions but no breakdowns.”

He added, “I am still obviously detecting large distances but that is why we have talks and negotiations.”

De Mistura met the regime delegation on Friday for 2 1/2 hours. He then saw the HNC, with the opposition-rebel bloc presenting him with a series of questions about a political resolution.

Talks Continue for Now

The HNC’s Basma Kodmani said the opposition will continue with negotiations for now:

We will wage the political fight until we reach the goals of our revolution. Our hope is that on the 6th anniversary of the revolution next year we would move onto the reconstruction phase and a democratic Syrian state.

The regime’s Jaafari said Friday’s meeting with de Mistura was constructive:

We believe that adopting the principles we called the basic elements will lead to a serious intra-Syrian dialogue that helps in building the future of our country.

These principles will open the door for a serious Syrian-Syrian dialogue led by Syria without foreign interference or preconditions.