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Doubts cast over resumption of Syria peace talks by Feb. 25: report

Xinhua, February 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura's on Thursday indicated that the UN-brokered Syrian peace talks here would not resume by Feb. 25.

"I can not realistically call for new Geneva talks on Feb. 25. We need 10 days of preparation and invitations. But we aim to do so soon," De Mistura is quoted as telling Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet.

The Syrian peace talks were postponed by the UN diplomat earlier this month and were scheduled to resume by Feb.25, if not earlier.

De Mistura stressed that the temporary pause in talks was not a failure while admitting more work needed to be done by parties in the conflict.

Talks aim to discuss governance, constitutional change and the holding of elections while addressing the implementation of a lasting ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and stopping the threat of IS in the country at war since 2011.

Senior Advisor to the UN Special Envoy for Syria Jan Egeland indicated that only five out of 18 besieged areas in Syria had received life-saving humanitarian supplies.

The remaining areas are expected to be reached before representatives of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) members convene again next week.

De Mistura is scheduled to brief the press in Geneva's Palais des Nations on Feb. 22. Enditem