The Syrian opposition today called for the continuation of negotiations with the authorities of President Bashar al-Assad under the auspices of the UN, after official Damascus returned to Arab protection after years of isolation.

"The international and regional context and the situation in Syria are suitable for the continuation of direct negotiations in a specific program and schedule," the High Negotiations Committee, which brings together the main representatives of the Syrian opposition, said in a statement.

Negotiations to resolve the Syrian crisis have stalled since the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2254 in 2015, which, among other things, calls for a new constitution and elections.

After the two-day meeting in Geneva, the opposition called to support the efforts of the UN to take the necessary measures for a "comprehensive political solution, in accordance with the UN resolution".

The Arab League in May reinstated the Syrian regime, which was toppled in 2011 by the popular uprising during the Arab Spring and later by the civil war.

About half a million people died in the conflict, which involved regional and international actors.

The Syrian opposition has lost much of the influence and support it enjoyed in the countries of the region.

Riyadh, which supported Syrian rebel groups at the beginning of the conflict, has re-established ties with Damascus. Turkey, which backs rebels who control parts of northern Syria, has also shown signs of rapprochement with Assad.

The opposition assessed that the regime's return to the Arab League includes the "risk" of the Syrian regime rejecting any political solution.