'Only Democratic Syrian Representatives Should Join Vienna Talks,' ODFS Director Tells Sputnik News

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The Vienna talks on a political transition in Syria must only bring together opposition groups that are committed to equality and the rule of law, Organization for Democracy and Freedom in Syria founder Ribal al-Assad told Sputnik.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Leandra Bernstein — On Saturday, a multinational delegation of political representatives is scheduled to meet in Vienna to address which groups in Syria could be included in a democratic transition.

"When you call out for a genuine representation, you have to bring everyone who believes in genuine democracy and equality of all under the rule of law," Assad said in a Thursday interview.

Assad, who is the cousin of Syrian President Bashar Assad, noted that after two previous rounds of talks, the Vienna process "is not going anywhere." He called for a "more serious effort" to bring in all potential Syrian representatives committed to equality of sect, religion, ethnicity and gender.

On October 30, representatives from almost 20 countries, including Russia, the United States, the European Union and Iran, met in Vienna to agree to a preliminary nine-point plan to reunify Syria after nearly five years of war.

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