(VOVworld) - Syrian political activists and rebel groups, at a conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, agreed to set up a joint body to prepare for future peace talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government based on the Geneva statement issued in June 2012.

The GCC summit brought together leaders from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. (Photo: AP)

A final statement issued at the end of the two-day conference said Assad should leave office at the start of a transitional period and called for an inclusive, democratic civil state without discrimination against any religion, political party or race. They pledged to preserve state institutions, restructure military and security forces, and fight terrorism in any form.