Opposition

Syrian opposition totally dependent on foreign sponsors – senior Russian MP

Syrian opposition totally dependent on foreign sponsors – senior Russian MP

The Syrian opposition’s refusal to attend the peace conference in Geneva is a result of the desire of its foreign sponsors to thwart the peace process, claims the head of State Duma’s Foreign Relations Committee.

“The Syrian Opposition lacks independence. It totally depends  on external support. All its steps are backed with interests and  calculations of its foreign sponsors,” Aleksey Pushkov  tweeted on Monday.

He also stated that several countries were hoping to thwart the  Geneva-2 summit, naming this as the main reason behind the  refusal of the Syrian National Council to participate in this  meeting.

“There will be more such attempts,” Pushkov wrote.

According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US  Secretary of State John Kerry, the Geneva-2 summit, co-sponsored  by Russia and the USA, is currently preliminarily scheduled for  mid-November. The final date will be determined soon in  consultations with the UN Security Council and the League of Arab  States.

On Sunday the head of one Syrian National Council (SNC) George  Sabra told reporters that his group would not attend the Geneva-2  talks, adding that any talks were possible only after the removal  of President Bashar Assad and his government. Moreover, the SNC  leader promised to sever the alliances with any other opposition  groups if they decide to take part in Geneva-2 pace conference.

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Syrian TV, chemical inspectors’ hotel targeted in bomb attacks in Damascus

Syrian TV, chemical inspectors’ hotel targeted in bomb attacks in Damascus

Multiple bomb blasts have rocked the Syrian capital of Damascus, a mortar attack on Syrian TV among them, reports RT’s correspondent at the scene.

  Suicide bombers blew up two booby-trapped cars near the General  Organization of Radio and TV in Damascus, state TV reported.  

  RT correspondent Paula Slier said that two security guards were  confirmed dead in the blasts while two suicide bombers died in  their cars. 

“Within the last 20 minutes there were two massive explosions  in downtown Damascus. It seems that one was right in front of the  Syrian TV and we are seeing some footage being circulated on line  by the rebels saying that their target is the Syrian TV,”   said Slier.  

  But Syrian state news agency SANA said that there were no  casualties while blaming the blasts on “terrorists”. 

  Syrian TV showed footage of what appeared to be two burning  vehicles, a fire engine and a building which had had its windows  burnt out.  

  Slier added that the rebels have published a video on internet  saying they will target the Syrian TV building.  She also  said that rebels had warned civilians to stay away from all  military checkpoints in the city, prior to the blasts, which were  just two minutes apart.