Syria’s key opposition groups have agreed on a negotiating position for future international talks on ending their country’s civil war. Meeting in Saudi Arabia, the rebels agreed to talks with the Syrian regime, but only if President Bashar al-Assad and his top aides step down at the start of any political transition. The groups say they would talk to the regime “within a specific timeframe that would be agreed on with the United Nations.” But Assad has repeatedly rejected calls for his ouster as a nonstarter. In Washington, State Department spokesperson John Kirby called the accord a step forward.

John Kirby: “This was an important milestone in getting to a place where in early January they can actually begin to have political negotiations with the regime. This was a critical first step in getting there. There is still more work to do between now, the conclusion of today’s meeting, and sometime in early January when we hope these political negotiations can continue. For instance, one big thing is to pick a negotiating team.”

A recent road map agreed to by world powers would see talks between the rebels and the regime begin next month, followed by a ceasefire. Wednesday’s meeting in Saudi Arabia excluded Syria’s Kurdish fighters.