The United Nations tactic of inventing Syrian peace talks and then attempting to intimidate both sides into attending looked set to fail.

In a statement, Syria's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Syrian government would attend, saying that President Bashar al-Assad will send an official delegation.

But the ministry stressed that the representatives "will be going to Geneva not to hand over power to anyone" but to meet those "who support a political solution for Syria's future."

And in a pointed jab at Britain and France, the ministry warned that if they "insist on holding fast to illusions" that there is no place for President Assad in a transitional period then "there is no need for them to attend Geneva 2."

"Our people will not allow anyone to steal their right to decide their future and leadership, and the main goal of the Geneva conference is to fulfil the interests of the Syrian people alone and not those who shed their blood," the ministry said.

The Western-backed Syrian National Coalition has said it is ready to attend if government forces establish humanitarian corridors, release political prisoners and on condition that the talks are predicated on acceptance that President Assad cannot be part of a transitional government.

Coalition chief Ahmad al-Jarba admits the umbrella group had not made a final decision on attending the talks.

But the head of the Free Syrian Army rebel brigades said he had already rejected talks, stating bluntly on Tuesday that his group will shun the conference and would pursue its fight to topple President Assad regardless of anything the conference had to say.

General Salim Idriss said firmly that there would be no ceasefire during the meeting.

Islamist rebel groups have gone further, threatening to put on trial anyone who attends talks which do not deliver President Assad's removal.

However, UN secretary-general Ban Ki Moon pleaded with the government and opposition to help the talks succeed.