Syria peace talks underway in Switzerland

Talks aimed at ending Syria's five-year long civil war have got underway at the United Nations in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is leading the so-called proximity talks which are scheduled to last six months.

On Friday he met Syrian government representatives.

Speaking to reporters after those initial meetings, Mr. de Mistura said he hoped to meet members of the Syrian opposition platform, known as the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) as early as Sunday.

"I have good reason to believe that they are actually considering this very seriously. And therefore to be in a position, probably on Sunday to actually start discussions with them in order to be able to proceed with the intra-Syria talks."

This is the third round of peace talks to take place in Geneva under UN auspices.


SOURCE: UN Radio