DHAKA: International powers are unlikely to meet their goal of convening peace talks on Syria in Geneva next month as differences emerge between Washington and Moscow over opposition representation.

Arab and Western officials said, reports Turkish daily Hurriyet.

Failure of the main Syrian National Coalition to take a clear stance over the talks, which aim to find a political solution to Syria’s 2-1/2 year civil war, are also expected to contribute to a delay of up to one month, the officials told Reuters.

‘A clearer picture will emerge when the United States and Russia meet next week, but all indications show that the November 23 goal will be difficult to meet,’ said one of the officials involved in preparing for the talks.

US, Russian and UN envoys are due to meet in Geneva next Tuesday as part of the preparation for the long-delayed peace conference, which was first proposed back in May.

A main point of contention, the official said, is the role of the Western-backed opposition coalition, an issue which has flared up since a meeting in London last week of Western and Gulf Arab countries opposed to Assad.

BDST: 2026 HRS, OCT 30, 2013
RoR/SRS