Syrian Opposition Figure Slams Russia for Continued Bombing

A top Syrian opposition figure criticized Russia on Sunday for continuing with its bombing in Syria, insisting that people in the country need to see action rather than words.

Riad Hijab, former Syria's prime minister and head of the Syrian opposition's High Negotiations Committee, gestures during his speech at the Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 14, 2016. AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

MUNICH—A top Syrian opposition figure criticized Russia on Sunday for continuing with its bombing in Syria, insisting that people in the country need to see action rather than words.

The head of the Saudi-backed Syrian opposition’s High Negotiations Committee, former Prime Minister Riad Hijab, also stopped short of declaring a clear commitment to implement a planned temporary truce.

“You ask me if I accept a cease-fire or a cessation of hostilities. I ask you: why is the onus on the opposition and whether it has preconditions for negotiations?” Hijab said. “I would like to see a single day of a cessation of hostilities in order to give a chance for real political movement.”

I would like to see a single day of a cessation of hostilities in order to give a chance for real political movement.

— Riad Hijab, head, Syrian opposition's High Negotiations Committee