The UN's Syria envoy launched consultations Thursday (February 23rd) with rival sides in the six-year conflict, AFP reported.
Staffan de Mistura began separate meetings with Syrian regime and opposition delegates in Geneva to discuss the agenda and the format for the first UN-hosted peace talks in 10 months.
The opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) said Wednesday that it wants direct negotiations with the regime, but both sides would have to agree.
Neither regime delegation chief Bashar al-Jafaari nor opposition team chief Nasr al-Hariri spoke as they arrived at UN offices in the Swiss city.
De Mistura said he planned to host an open meeting later in the day with both sides, but admitted there was limited ground for progress.
"Am I expecting a breakthrough? No, I am not expecting a breakthrough," he said, noting that "momentum" toward further talks was likely the best that can be hoped for.
