Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must step down to start a political transition in the country, Syrian rebel groups have insisted while they express willingness to join UN-sponsored negotiations with the government.

In a statement, the group of rebels said the aim was to proceed without Assad. The statement comes after two-day talks held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

"The aim of the political settlement is to create a state based on the principle of citizenship without Bashar al-Assad or figures of his regime having a place in it or any future political arrangements," Al Jazeera quoted the statement.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubair said Assad must leave, one way or the other.

“Bashar Assad has two solutions: leave through negotiations, which is easier and better for all, or he will have to leave through fighting because the Syrian people refuse that this regime and person stays in power," The Telegraph quoted the Saudi minister as saying.

More than 100 representatives from the Syrian opposition groups got together in order to get united against the Assad regime. According to Monzer Akbik, a 25-strong leadership group is going to be set up.

The member of the National Coalition opposition group added the group would include six from rebel factions, six from the coalition, eight independent figures and five from the NCB.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said there were “some tough issues to get over” even though there was progress in the talks. There is a possibility that Syrian peace talks will be held in New York on Dec. 18 but the date is “not locked” yet, Kerry said.

Ahrar al-Sham, the biggest fighting group in Syria, pulled out of the talks on Thursday. It stated the reason that top key roles had been given to the National Coordination Committee and other figures, considered supporters of the Assad regime.

There were reports on Thursday night that the group had changed its mind and was going to be a part of the talks. The faction argued the organisers of the conference had refused to emphasise the Muslim identity of the Syrian people.

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