The Syria government says it only agrees on such a broad-based unity government, which would include current government members, opposition representatives and independent figures. The announcement came after the main opposition suspended its formal participation in peace talks. It insists that Assad leaves power for a political transition, while the government maintains the president's future is off limits.

But the High Negotiations Committee has kept a team of delegates in Geneva. Its Kurdish member held a press conference to continue pressing the government.

“The talks included the creation of a broad-based unity government, and plans to put pressure on neighboring countries regarding counter-terrorism in accordance with relevant U.N. resolutions,” said Bashar Al-Jafaari, chief negotiator for Syrian govt.

“We will not return to the Geneva talks until the international community makes more earnest efforts to improve the humanitarian situation and the Syrian government shows a more sincere gesture by accepting political transition,” said Abudu Hakim Bashar, Head of Kurdish National Council.

Despite the HNC’s withdrawal, talks between Syrian government negotiators and U.N. mediators have continued. The head of the Syrian government delegation is Bashar al-Jaafari. He said after meeting U.N. Deputy Envoy for Syria, Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy, that the U.N. considers the peace talks to be going on in spite of the withdrawal.

The U.N.-mediated proximity negotiations began only days ago. They have already reached a critical juncture. Factions still fail to see eye-to-eye on a number of issues, amid a worsening humanitarian situation on the ground.