Arab States Endorse Syria Peace Talks, Urging Opposition To Attend

Countries remain divided over whether Iran should attend

(Reuters) - Arab states formally endorsed proposed peace talks to end the Syrian civil war that have been delayed by disputes between world powers and divisions among the opposition.

A final communiqué after an emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers on Sunday called on the opposition swiftly to form a delegation under the leadership of the mainstream Syrian National Coalition, to attend the "Geneva 2" talks.

The Arab League's position indicated Gulf rivals Qatar and Saudi Arabia - who have backed different rebel groups fighting President Bashar al-Assad - had put their differences aside to urge opposition chief Ahmad Jarba to head to Geneva.