Updated

The main Western-backed Syrian opposition group is holding a meeting in Istanbul to decide on whether to attend a peace conference next week aimed at ending the country's bloody civil war.

The Syrian National Coalition is under huge pressure from its Western and Arab sponsors to attend the peace talks, scheduled to open Wednesday in the Swiss city of Montreux.

Many Coalition members are hesitant to attend a conference that has little chance of success and will burn the last shred of credibility the group has with powerful rebels on the ground, who reject the talks.

The Coalition could make the announcement regarding the peace conference later Saturday.

The Syrian government has already said it will attend the talks.