Syrian Opposition receives De Mistura reply, but still waiting for Ban Ki Moon’s

Syria’s opposition is waiting for a response from U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon over its demands including an end to bombardments and blockades after Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura told them implementation was beyond his powers, a source said.

The Syrian opposition has said it wants such steps implemented before the start of negotiations, which the United Nations aims to convene on Friday in Geneva in an indirect format. The opposition has yet to say whether it will attend.

The source, familiar with an opposition meeting in Riyadh, said de Mistura had answered the opposition saying implementation of the resolution was "beyond his authority" and that they were now awaiting a response from Ban.

From his side, the High Negotiations Committee spokesman Salem al Meslet confirmed that articles “12” and “13” of the list of demands which the Committee has submitted to De Mistura are a legitimate right for the Syrian people and they are beyond negotiations.

The Committee has also assured the importance of achieving real improvement on the ground before starting any talks with the regime.  

The demands submitted by the Committee are also points set out in a U.N. Security Council resolution passed last month.