Syria Talks Continue in Geneva despite Low Expectations
Local Editor
Peace talks on Syria, brokered by the United Nations Organization, resume in Geneva Thursday despite that fact that hopes of a breakthrough are dim.
On the eve of the talks, 10 months after the last round of negotiations in the Swiss city, Russia called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop his bombing campaign during the discussions.
But just hours after rival delegations arrived, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura admitted there was limited ground for progress on making peace.
"Am I expecting a breakthrough? No, I am not expecting a breakthrough," de Mistura said, noting that "momentum" toward further talks was likely the best that can be hoped for.
The government delegation is headed by Syria's UN ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari and the main opposition High Negotiations Committee [HNC] is led by cardiologist Nasr al-Hariri and lawyer Mohammad Sabra.
In this regard, HNC spokesman said the umbrella group wanted "face-to-face discussions with government representatives."
We ask for direct negotiations... It would save time and be proof of seriousness instead of negotiating in [separate] rooms," Salem al-Meslet told AFP.
During three previous rounds of talks in Geneva last year, the two sides never sat down at the same table, instead leaving de Mistura to shuttle between them.
This time, de Mistura voiced hope that he will manage to bring the two sides together for direct talks.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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