Syrian opposition coordinator blasts U.N. Envoy, defends peace talks pause

Riad Hijab, chief coordinator High Negotiations Committee (HNC) addresses a news conference aside of Syria peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, April 19, 2016. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

GAZIANTEP, Turkey (Reuters) - Syrian opposition coordinator Riad Hijab defended his body's decision to walk out of peace talks in Geneva and criticised U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura over the rise in violence, during a high level EU visit to the Turkish border province.

Hijab's public criticism of de Mistura, who must be seen as neutral while trying to negotiate peace in Syria, highlights the tensions and fragility of a peace process which has limped on despite the opposition declaring a "pause" in talks with nearly all of its delegation leaving Geneva.