Syrian Peace Talks Begin With Opposition Groups Boycotting The Event

Reuters: U.N. launches Syria peace talks despite opposition boycott

The first Syria peace talks for two years were a "complete failure" before they started on Friday, a Western diplomat said, after the United Nations announced it would press ahead with them despite an opposition boycott.

Opponents of President Bashar al-Assad said they were far more concerned with fending off a Russian-backed military onslaught, with civilians reported to be fleeing as the Syrian army and allied militia tried to capture a suburb of Damascus and finish off rebels defending it.

U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura has invited the Syrian government and an opposition umbrella group to Geneva for "proximity talks", in which they would meet in separate rooms.

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WNU Editor: These UN backed talks are a bust.

More News On Today's Syrian Peace Talks

UN Syria envoy to start talks in Geneva without opposition -- AP
UN insists shaky Syria peace talks to go ahead -- AFP
Syria conflict: Geneva peace talks to open amid uncertainty -- BBC
Syria Peace Talks Begin Amid Confusion -- VOA
Syrian opposition backs off from Geneva talks -- Al Arabiya
Syria Peace Talks to Continue 'Separately' After Key Delegates Shun Meeting -- Sputnik
Syrian peace talks set to begin after delays, U.N. says -- CNN
Syria Peace Talks Clouded by Uncertainty Over Rebel Participation -- WSJ
Syria talks at risk as rival sides fail to agree terms -- Al Jazeera
Iran president pessimistic on Syrian peace process -- AFP
Syria’s first peace talks in 2 years are already ‘a complete failure' -- Tom Miles and Tom Perry, Reuters