Syrian opposition's chief peace negotiator resigns over failure of peace talks

'The three rounds of talks were unsuccessful because of the stubbornness of the regime... I therefore announce my withdrawal from the delegation and my resignation'

The chief peace negotiator of Syria’s mainstream opposition has said he is resigning over the failure of UN-baked Geneva peace talks to bring a political settlement and ease the plight of Syrians living in rebel-held areas.

Mohammad Alloush, who is also the representative of the Jaish al Islam rebel faction in the Saudi-based High Negotiations Committee, said in statement in Sunday the peace talk has also failed to secure the release of thousands of detainees.

He also added the talks failed to push Syria towards political transition without President Bashar al Assad.

"The three rounds of talks were unsuccessful because of the stubbornness of the regime and its continued bombardments and aggressions towards the Syrian people," Alloush, a member of the Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) rebel group, said in a statement on Twitter, AFP reports.

"I therefore announce my withdrawal from the delegation and my resignation."

The UN-backed parties have not set a date for the resumption of peace talks after the High Negotiations Committee suspended their participation until the situation on the ground has radically changed.

Two weeks of UN-brokered talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups in Geneva ended on April 27 with no breakthrough.

A new round of talks had been expected for the end of May, but no new date has been announced.

Head of the main Syrian opposition delegation Asaad al-Zoubi told al Hadath TV channel he also wanted to be relieved of his post in the HNC but did not confirm his resignation.

Mr Zoubi said no real peace talks had taken place four months since the latest rounds of Geneva peace talks were launched.

The Syrian opposition suspended its formal participation in peace talks in April saying they would only return if the situation radically changed on the ground.

They were protesting Syrian army offensives, which they said meant a ceasefire was effectively over.

Additional reporting by Reuters