Syria Peace Talks Kick off in Kazakhstan Capital, Astana

Rasa - Long-awaited intra-Syrian talks began in Astana on Monday as organizers played down expectations of a breakthrough, with some sources saying there will be no direct negotiations between the Syrian delegation and the opposition factions.

News ID: 426754

Date: 23 January 2017 - 15:25

RNA - The negotiations mediated by Russia, Iran and Turkey are witnessing the first time when the government delegation is seated at the same table as the armed opposition, Sputnik reported.

According to Kazakh Foreign Ministry, the talks are expected to last for 24 hours and conclude on Tuesday.

The talks are brokered by Russia and Iran, which back the Syrian government, and Turkey which supports the rebels.

For the first time, the opposition delegation has been formed of representatives of armed Syrian rebels.

Organizers have played down expectations of a breakthrough, and some sources close to the opposition groups said there will be no direct negotiations with the government.

The last round of talks between the opposition and the government, which were brokered by the UN, were suspended in early 2016.

Terror groups including ISIL and al-Nusra Front (also known as Fatah al-Sham Front) are excluded in the talks. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry says it expects the talks to be finished by Tuesday.

UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura is attending the talks and the US is being represented by its ambassador to Kazakhstan.

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