ISTANBUL — A day of fierce debates is in store for the Syrian National Coalition on Friday (Jan. 17), with members still divided over whether or not to attend the Geneva II talks that start Jan. 22.

US Secretary of State John Kerry again urged a “positive vote” from the coalition, reiterating that “the Geneva peace conference is not the end but rather the beginning, the launch of a process, a process that is the best opportunity for the opposition to achieve the goals of the Syrian people and the revolution.”

Numbers are stacking toward a positive vote, with one coalition source estimating to Al-Monitor that 65 members out of 121 are leaning toward a ‘yes’ vote. But the coalition faces complications if it chooses to attend the talks in Switzerland, with the Syrian National Council threatening to withdraw should a ‘yes’ vote pass. The talks will begin in Montreux, and then move to Geneva.

“Ultimately, if the coalition decides to go to Geneva, the council as a bloc will withdraw. The way it works is the head of the council, Mr. George Sabra, will issue a statement saying that the council with its 24 members withdraws from the Syrian coalition, and that no member will remain. That statement has actually been drafted,” the source said.