ISTANBUL — Syria’s opposition coalition voted Saturday to attend a landmark peace conference in Geneva next week despite a boycott by a sizable number of members, setting the stage for what world leaders hope will be the first direct talks between the Syrian government and its opponents since the conflict erupted three years ago.
A significant majority of the estimated 75 members present at the vote, taken at a secret location outside Istanbul, endorsed attendance at the talks, which will be launched at a gathering of world powers in the Swiss town of Montreux on Wednesday, then move on Friday to Geneva.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-opposition-votes-to-attend-peace-talks/2014/01/18/a3faf9f6-806a-11e3-9556-4a4bf7bcbd84_story.html