Govt wants two groups shut out of peace talks

Opposition refuses to take part in Geneva negotiations until its demands are met

The Syrian government will "never accept" the removal of two militant groups from a list of terrorist organizations barred from peace talks, a Syrian official said.

Ahrar al-Sham and the Army of Islam, two Islamic groups fighting to overthrow the Syrian government, agreed to take part in UN-sponsored peace talks in Geneva. The ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham is not part of the team sent to Geneva, but the delegation has named Army of Islam official Mohammed Alloush as its chief negotiator.