Burhan Ghalioun to LBCI: We attended negotiations in order to topple Syrian regime

Member of the Syrian Coalition Burhan Ghalioun said on Thursday that the opening session of the Geneva 2 conference outlined a huge victory for the Syrian opposition and people, noting that the Syrian Coalition accepted to attend the negotiations in order to topple the Syrian regime.

Ghalioun's remarks were made during an interview with Nharkom Said TV show in which he reiterated the rejection of Iran's participation in the conference for its military role in the fighting taking place in Syria.

He also noted that Russia backs a transitional government in Syria, adding that Moscow wants to provide Syrian President Bachar al-Assad with a "safe way out."

Ghalioun also said that the Syrian opposition is keen on giving the Alawites, which are "an integral part of the Syrian people, a role in the upcoming regime."

He also noted that the Syrian people supported the interference of any foreign country to protect them, however he added that the International community "disappointed the Syrian people due to its failure in protecting civilians."

He concluded by saying that the Free Syrian Army is the "sole representative of the Syrian revolution", adding that the FSA is claiming "a pluralistic democratic system."

About 130,000 people have been killed and a quarter of Syrians driven from their homes in the civil war, which began with peaceful protests against 40 years of Assad family rule and has descended into a sectarian conflict, with the opposing sides armed and funded by Sunni Arab states and Shi'ite Iran.

Both sides will meet separately on Thursday with a UN negotiator, Lakhdar Brahimi, who said he still did not know if they were ready to sit at the same table when talks begin in earnest on Friday.

Brahimi said both sides had shown some willingness to bend on local cease-fires and delivery of humanitarian aid.

This would be the first face-to-face meeting between the Syrian government and the main opposition - the National Coalition - since the conflict began in 2011.