The Syrian opposition to the Damascus regime said Thursday it would reject "any role" now or in the future for current President Bashar al-Assad, even as the United States now says Assad's departure is no longer a priority to end the conflict.

"The opposition will never accept any role for Bashar al-Assad at any phase... there will be no change in our position," said Monzer Makhos, a spokesman for the opposition High Negotiatiions Committee, composed of key Syrian opposition groups. attending talks in Geneva.