MONTREUX, Switzerland (AFP) - The Syrian opposition leader on Wednesday called on President Bashar al-Assad to hand over power to a transitional government, as UN-led peace talks opened in Switzerland.

"I call on (the regime delegation) to immediately sign the Geneva 1 communique (setting out) the transfer of powers from Assad, including for the army and security, to a transition government," Mr Ahmad Jarba, president of the Syrian National Coalition, told the delegations gathered in the city of Montreux.