Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu arrived Wednesday at a stalled meeting of Syria’s divided opposition in Istanbul, in what is likely an effort to push for more progress at talks deadlocked by infighting.
U.S. ambassador to Syria Robert Ford and a top French diplomat on Syria also arrived at the meeting of the main opposition National Coalition, which has failed to find common ground on key issues including whether to take part in a peace conference proposed by the United States and Russia.
Veteran Syrian dissident Michel Kilo also arrived at the Istanbul hotel alongside a top Saudi official.
Saudi Arabia wants the Coalition to expand in order to water down the influence of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood, and has backed Kilo’s bid to join the opposition group.
Opponents supported by regional rival Qatar, including the Muslim Brotherhood, have resisted the Saudis’ move.
A week into the chaotic meeting Istanbul meeting, dissidents have failed to agree on any of the key talking points they were scheduled to agree on, chief among them the proposed peace conference that Washington and Moscow are trying to organize in Geneva next month.
The meeting has been stalled by what dissidents have described as conflicting international pressures on the Coalition.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, Turkey and the United States all back the revolt against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but have conflicting visions for the National Coalition.
Amid the competing bids for influence, the opposition has failed to find a united front on how to move forward.
“Things are not moving. The opposition has hit its worst crisis yet,” said a Coalition member on condition of anonymity.
The Istanbul meeting was also supposed to choose a new Coalition president, agree on an interim government and vote in new members to join the group, as well as reach a decision on the proposed Geneva conference.

Turkish foreign minister arrives at Syria opposition talks

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu arrived Wednesday at a stalled meeting of Syria’s divided opposition in Istanbul. (File photo: Reuters)
AFP, Istanbul
Wednesday 29 May 2013
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:40 - GMT 06:40
DAY | WEEK |
-
8069 Views Investments in Saudi Arabia’s economy will reach six trillion dollars: Crown Prince
-
6731 Views COVID-19: Saudi Arabia warns against travel to 12 countries without permission
-
5542 Views Coronavirus cases in the UAE surge as authorities detect 3,407 new infections
-
3782 Views Coronavirus: Pfizer to temporarily reduce vaccine deliveries to Europe
-
2370 Views US pigeon who flew to Australia may ‘face consequences’ of illegal entry: Deputy PM
-
2122 Views Indonesia earthquake death toll rises to at least 34: Authorities
-
21825 Views Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince reveals project ‘THE LINE’ in futuristic city of NEOM
-
19921 Views Indonesia finds suspected debris of Sriwijaya Flight 182 off Jakarata
-
11747 Views Oman Sultan issues new law organizing succession, naming of crown prince
-
11735 Views First Qatari vehicle enters Saudi Arabia after reopening of Salwa border
-
9516 Views Coronavirus: UAE reports 3,362 new COVID-19 cases, total hits 239,587
-
7438 Views Coronavirus: Seven Dubai health centers offering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
SHOW MORE