Secret Dialogue Between Syrian Regime and Opposition in Beirut | Al Akhbar English
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According to these sources, “the meetings, which are part of a series of meetings taking place outside Lebanon as well,” began a short while back but were hindered by the Arab pressures, specifically, by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, “the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz created a more relaxed atmosphere, removed the element of personal hatred towards Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from the equation and helped speed up Norwegian efforts.”
The sources also stressed that “the current Norwegian effort has nothing to do with the Oslo Forum in which Assad’s media advisor, Dr. Buthaina Shaaban, participated last June at the invitation of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue.”