Syria ponders call for talks

Syria’s information minister has said Damascus needs more details about a proposed US-Russian initiative before it decides whether to attend.

The main opposition group has taken a similar stand.

Omran al-Zoubi said in remarks carried by state news agency SANA today that Syria will not take part in any political dialogue that infringes on the country’s sovereignty.

The US and Russia called last week for an international conference to start talks accompanied by a ceasefire.

The two nations are on opposite sides of the Syria conflict. This marks their first serious joint attempt at Syria diplomacy in a year.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the US-Russian initiative without saying whether it would attend.

The main opposition bloc, the Syrian National Coalition, said yesterday it wants to consult its allies before deciding.