US has had direct contact with main Syrian rebel faction, says Blinken

Aqaba, Jordan: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that the United States has had direct contact with rebel faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the offensive that overthrew Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.

Blinken, speaking after meeting the foreign ministers of Arab nations and Turkey in Jordan, said a joint communique had been agreed that sets out the principles that other nations want to see followed in Syria's political transition, including inclusivity and respect for minorities.