UN special envoy holds separate, constructive meetings with Syrian warring parties

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, had "very constructive meetings" with delegations in the intra-Syrian negotiations, an official with the Envoy's office said Friday.

"This morning and this afternoon respectively Special Envoy de Mistura had very constructive meetings with Ambassador Jaafari and delegations as well as with Mr. Alhariri and delegation," said Michael Contet, with the Office of the UN envoy.

The latest round of intra-Syrian peace talks entered the second day on Friday, during which de Mistura and his team held separate bilateral meetings with representatives of the Syrian government and opposition groups.

"In these meetings the Special Envoy exchanged views and assessments with his interlocutors on yesterday's opening ceremony," Contet added.

Further meetings will be held over the weekend to discuss procedural aspects, and how all participants can contribute to the ongoing talks, according to him.

Contet highlighted the negotiations will be a long and difficult process and an early public breakthrough should not be expected.

He added that the UN Envoy is so far satisfied with the fact that in a short period of time the parties have shown their readiness to sit in one room and he has had the opportunity for some in-depth exchanges. Endit