BEIRUT: Syrian peace talks were clouded by uncertainty on Wednesday as the Saudi-backed Syrian opposition demanded a response to its demands from the United Nations.

The Syrian government has already agreed to join the talks that UN envoy Staffan de Mistura hopes to convene in an indirect format in Geneva on Friday with the aim of ending the five-year-old war that has killed 250,000 people.

Preparations have been beset by difficulties, including a dispute over who should be invited to negotiate with President Bashar al-Assad’s government as it claws back territory with help from Russia and Iran.

A Saudi-backed opposition council convened in Riyadh for a second day on Wednesday but as night fell there was no sign of a decision about whether it would attend the talks.

While it has expressed support for a political solution and talks, the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) reiterated demands including a halt to attacks on civilian areas before any negotiations.

In a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, it also called for the lifting of sieges on blockaded areas among other steps outlined by the UN Security Council in a resolution passed last month.

The HNC is seeking clarifications from de Mistura. “We sent the questions. We are awaiting the response,” said an opposition source, who confirmed the letter’s authenticity.

Opposition officials have long insisted they cannot go to talks before the government shows goodwill.

Monzer Makhous, an HNC member, said: “I can’t say if the discussions will be finished today or not. I have mixed feelings.”

Another HNC member said de Mistura must clarify the aim of the talks. “There is a problem we would like to clarify with de Mistura. Is the main aim of these negotiations for them to be held or to succeed?” Riyadh Naasan Agha asked on Al Jazeera TV. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said he had spoken to HNC coordinator Riad Hijab and understood the group would attend.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2016