Syria: Regime 'Ready' For Talks With Rebels

The country's foreign minister offers to start negotiations but rebels say talks cannot begin until the president resigns.

The Syrian government says it is ready for talks with its armed opponents, amid continuing unrest in the country.

Ahead of talks with his Russian counterpart in Moscow, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al Moualem said: "We are ready for dialogue with everyone who wants it ... even those who have weapons in their hands".

"Even with those who carry arms. We are confident that reforms will come about not with the help of bloodshed but through dialogue," he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) speaks with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Muallem during their meeting in Moscow on February 25, 2013. The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is ready to talk with all parties, including armed groups, who want dialogue to end the conflict, Walid al-Muallem said today at the start of talks with Lavrov. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV (Photo credit should read YURI KADOBNOV/AFP/Getty Images) — Mr Lavrov and Mr Moualem during the talks

"What's happening in Syria is a war against terrorism. We will strongly adhere to a peaceful course and continue to fight against terrorism."

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, whose country is one of Syrian President Bashar al Assad's closest allies, said the conflict could only be resolved through political talks.

He said further fighting "risks the collapse of the state and society".

"The Syrian people should decide their fate without external intervention," he added.

However, Syrian rebel leader Selim Idris said there could be no negotiations unless Mr Assad stepped down and leaders of the army and security forces were put on the trial.

"We will not go (into talks) unless these demands are realised," he told the Al Arabiya network.

And the leader of of Syria's main opposition coalition said the government had not been in contact.

"We have not been in contact yet, and we are waiting for communication with them," Syrian National Coalition leader Moaz Alkhatib told reporters in Cairo.

Cars burn after a boming in Damascus — At least 53 people died in a bomb blast in Damascus last week

The UN estimates that around 70,000 people have been killed since fighting began in Syria almost two years ago.

On Thursday, at least 53 people died in a car bombing near the headquarters of the ruling Baath party in the capital, Damascus.

State media said the attack was carried out by "armed terrorist groups linked to al Qaeda that receive financial and logistical help from abroad".

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that at least 105 people were killed in violent clashes across the country on Sunday.

It also updated its death toll from Friday's missile attack on the northern city of Aleppo, saying at 58 people died, including 36 children.

http://news.sky.com/story/1056637/syria-regime-ready-for-talks-with-rebels