Syria opposition announces negotiating team as peace talks get underway
Western diplomats have said the the peace talks are underway and should continue into the weekend.
Geneva, Switzerland __ UN-mediated Syrian peace talks got underway here Friday, and are currently expected to continue into the weekend, western diplomats said.
UN/Arab League Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi met separately with the two Syrian regime and opposition delegations on Friday. A meeting with both sdes and Brahimi in the same room, originally expected by some to take place Friday, may now occur on Saturday, the westerm diplomats said.
"Brahimi delayed the trilateral meeting planned for this morning to allow for more preparation," a senior US administration official said Friday. "Our understanding is that ...he still plans to meet with the regime and the opposition together."
"This is the beginning of a negotiation process, and as today has shown, expect ups and downs as it proceeds," the US diplomat said. "What is important is that the Geneva II process continues."
