Intra-Syrian negotiations discuss talk format in Geneva

The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura on Friday held separate meetings with Syrian government and opposition delegations to set up the format of talks, as UN mediated negotiations continue.

After both sides kicked off the fourth round of Syria peace talks here on Thursday, De Mistura convened a bilateral meeting Friday morning with Syrian government delegation led by UN Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar Jaafari.

Jaafari later told reporters that the bilateral meeting focused on discussion of the format of upcoming negotiations.

"At the end of the meeting, De Mistura gave us a paper and we agreed to study this paper," he said.

The special envoy held a meeting with Syrian opposition delegation Friday afternoon.

The UN said Syrian negotiations will be guided by UN Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), focusing on matters of governance, including a new constitution for Syria and the holding of elections.

Since the Syria conflict began in March 2011, an estimated 400,000 people have lost their lives, with millions more forced to flee their homes. Enditem