Violent clashes have continued near the Syrian capital Damascus and other provinces on Thursday, as the head of the opposition abroad asked the administration to respond to his dialogue initiative before Sunday.
Six people, including three kids, were killed earlier Thursday when two mortar shells struck a bus station in the troublesome suburb of Qaboun to the east of Damascus, local media said, accusing the rebels of firing the mortars from nearby rebellious areas.
The incident came as clashes continued for the second straight day at the eastern rim of Damascus between the Syrian troops and the armed rebels, who have declared the start of their battle to ” liberate” Damascus from the Syrian troops.
The pro-government al-Watan daily said earlier in the day that the army foiled the rebels’ attempt to penetrate the capital.
Meanwhile, the pro-government Sham FM radio said the army’s tracking down of armed groups is still ongoing in the Damascus’ suburbs of Sbaineh, Hajar al-Aswad, Hajira, Ziabieh, Arbeen and Zmalka among others.
In the northwestern province of Idlib, as many as 300 rebels were killed Thursday while attempting to attack the military site of Wadi al-Daief, the report said.
Politically, Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi said the government is serious in undertaking all measures to prepare for launching the national dialogue based on the vision of President Bashar al-Assad. He noted that the government is contacting all the political forces inside Syria and the opposition forces abroad that believe in the national dialogue.
While welcoming the opposition that believe in dialogue as the sole way to end the country’s crisis, al-Halqi made no direct reference to the conditioned dialogue initiative proposed last week by the head of the main opposition coalition abroad, Moaz al- Khatib, whose patience seems to be wearing thin as he reportedly asked the Syrian administration to respond to his initiative before Sunday otherwise he will cancel the offer.
Al-Khatib said last week that he is ready to embark on talks with representatives of the Syrian government but conditioned the release of 160,000 detainees from Syrian prisons, including all female political prisoners.
The Islamic preacher also stipulated that the talks should be with Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa.
He also indicated that the dialogue should result in the departure of Assad administration.
The Syrian government has yet to respond to al-Khatib’s calls, but local pro-government political analysts said the government will not accept pre-conditions of the dialogue.
Some leaders at the Syrian opposition coalition, who are still adamantly rejecting the idea of conducting negotiations with the Syrian government, contended that al-Khatib had probably been subject to pressure, adding that the proposal reflects a personal attitude.
Syria has been engulfed in a bloody conflict between opposition forces and government troops since March 2011. It has so far claimed 60,000 lives, according to UN estimates.
