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DAMASCUS, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Most rebel groups have agreed to attend upcoming negotiations with Syrian government representatives in Astana later this month, Saudi-funded Alarabiya TV reported on Monday.
Conferring in Ankara, nine rebel groups agreed to take part in the Jan. 23 meeting in Astana, which was the result of a recent Turkish-Russian agreement, said the report.
The most prominent rebel group to attend is the Jaish al-Islam, or the Islam Army, the main rebel power controlling key areas east of the capital Damascus.
However, the report said, six other rebel groups mainly based in the northwestern province of Idlib, including Ahrar al-Sham, Suqur al-Sham, Failaq Rahman, and Jaish Idlib, have refused to take part.
The report said that each rebel faction will send representatives, adding that the names have already been handed over to the Turkish side, which will be coordinating with the Russians.
