Syrian rebels welcome Islamists to talks in Geneva

For January summit, opposition forces keen to form a delegation that’s ‘as wide as possible,’ including al-Qaeda-linked groups

By AP 13 December 2013, 7:20 pm

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Fighters from the Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, or Nusra Front, during training (Wikicommons/File)

LONDON — Syrian rebels say they are ready to include Islamist fighters as part of their delegation to the Geneva peace talks aimed at putting an end to Syria’s civil war.

Senior rebel official Monzer Akbik told reporters in London that the opposition is “keen to form a delegation that will be as wide as possible” and that the Islamic Front, an umbrella group of Islamist rebels, is welcome to send representatives to the talks.

The Islamic Front, which represents half a dozen of Syria’s most powerful rebel brigades, is independent of the Western-backed Free Syrian Army as well as the Nusra Front and Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, both of which are linked to al-Qaeda.

Syria’s peace conference is planned for January.