Turkey's Erdogan says tough for Syrian opposition to attend peace talks without ceasefire

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan addresses the audience during a meeting in Ankara, Turkey, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Kayhan Ozer/Presidential Palace Press Office/Handout via Reuters

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday it would be difficult for the moderate Syrian opposition to attend peace talks in Geneva without a ceasefire to put a stop to the Russian bombing of its fighters. "Especially the constant bombing by Russia of opposition areas creates a significant problem for the opposition," Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul. "Their participation without a ceasefire in place would be a betrayal of those fighting." (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Nick Tattersall)