Syrian opposition group says it will attend Geneva talks

Beirut: Syria's main opposition group in exile says it will attend upcoming consultations in Geneva with the UN special envoy to Syria aimed at re-launching political negotiations.

In a statement Tuesday, the Syrian National Coalition says its president, Khaled Khoja, informed the envoy, Staffan de Mistura, of the group's intention to attend.

A United Nations team will hold separate meetings with representatives of the Syrian government and others from the Syrian opposition during the talks in early May.

The Syrian government has not said yet whether it intends to attend the talks.

De Mistura, the third UN special envoy on Syria, has turned to this new approach after his previous plan for localized cease-fires had little success.