Syrian Talks Are Still Ongoing But Differences Are Great

Some Movement Seen in Syria Talks, but U.N. Envoy Says Sides Remain Far Apart -- New York Times

GENEVA — After days of deadlock and dispute, Syrian peace talks appeared to inch forward on Wednesday, when the subject of a transitional government was discussed for the first time, negotiators said. But the senior United Nations diplomat mediating the talks here said both sides remained far apart.

The diplomat, Lakhdar Brahimi, the special envoy for Syria, told reporters at the conclusion of discussions on Wednesday that he expected little progress in the final few days of talks and that negotiators would decide before the conclusion on Friday when the next round would take place.

“Ice is breaking slowly,” Mr. Brahimi said. But after nearly three years of conflict in Syria, Mr. Brahimi said, the positions of the opposition coalition and the government of President Bashar al-Assad are “quite large.”

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More News On The Syrian Peace Talks

Brahimi says no substantive progress on Syria but hopeful -- Reuters
'Nothing substantive' from Syria talks - Brahimi -- BBC
At Syria Talks, Ice is 'Breaking Slowly' -- Voice of America
Assad adviser rejects call for transitional govt -- Washington Post/AP
Syrian Talks Disrupted By Congress’s Approval Of Aid To Rebels -- New York Times
Syrian Government, Opposition Agree on Basis for Peace Talks -- Voice of America
"Positive step" in Syria talks? More of a shuffle -- CBS