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.