The talks shaping Syria's new constitution will exclude Kurdish forces, organisers say

The conference to chart Syria's political future will include all segments of Syrian society except for the Kurdish-led administration in the northeast and loyalists of the repressive former government of Bashar Assad, organisers said Thursday.

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"This will be the first real gathering of Syrians in 75 years," said Huda al-Atassi, a former detainee and a member of the organizing committee for Syria's national dialogue conference. She read the panel's statement at a news conference in Damascus.

The conference will cover "social, political, economic and governance issues, laying the foundations for a solid future based on national consensus, justice, reform and inclusion," she said.