GENEVA –
The Syrian opposition says Russian President Vladimir Putin’s move to draw down
his forces in the country could pave the way for an end to five years of
fighting, although Moscow had not informed them of the decision.

Spokesman
Salim al-Muslat told reporters that the Russian withdrawal could also help
bring about an end to Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s “dictatorship and
his crimes”.

Russia
blindsided world powers on Tuesday by announcing that “the main part”
of its forces in Syria would start to withdraw. It was unclear what the
withdrawal would mean for the outcome of the war or the future of Assad, who
has regained ground from rebels with the help of heavy Russian air strikes.

United
States-Russian cooperation had already prompted a lull in the war via a
“cessation of hostilities agreement” that led to a sharp decline in
fighting between rebels and the government in western Syria.

Muslat
said a Russian pullout could have far-reaching consequences on the course of
Syria’s war, saying that “what has kept Assad in power is the presence of
Russian forces”.

Talks
under way in Geneva are part of a diplomatic push launched with US-Russian
support to end a war that has killed more than 250,000 people, created the
world’s worst refugee crisis, and prompted the rise of Islamic State militants.

The
Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee’s main demand when it begins its first
formal talks later on Tuesday with a U.N. special envoy will be the creation of
an interim government without Assad under a U.N.-sponsored road map, Muslat
said.

“Our
concern is that negotiations begin today with a discussion of an interim
government that would be a guarantee towards a pluralistic democratic state.
When the regime talks about a national unity government this means Assad
remains as a ruler in which ministers would be appointed by him.”

The gulf is wide between the
Assad government and rebel groups over a political transition with Damascus
saying it will rule out any discussion of the president’s future at peace
talks. 

– Reuters