Substantive Syria Peace Talks to Begin in Geneva No Later Than March 14

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura wants to start constructive dialogue concerning Syrian ceasefire in Geneva before than March 14, his spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday.

GENEVA (Sputnik) – UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is planning to launch substantive talks on the Syrian reconciliation in Geneva no later than March 14, his spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday.

"The envoy will start substantive meetings with those who are in Geneva by latest of 14th of March," Jessy Chahine told a briefing.

Chahine added that de Mistura’s team was ready to receive all of the participants of the talks on March 9 and would be conducting preparatory meetings.

"Due to some logistical arrangements, some participants will be arriving on the 12th, 13th and 14th on March," Chahine said.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting against numerous opposition factions and extremist groups.

Talks between the Syrian government and representatives of the country's opposition factions began in Geneva on January 29. On February 3, de Mistura decided to postpone the talks as the parties were unable to reach a compromise on a number of issues. The opposition and government delegations blamed each other for the breakdown of the talks.

Earlier in the week, de Mistura said that the talks were expected to officially kick off on March 9, with some delegations arriving later on.

On February 22, Russia and the United States reached an agreement on the ceasefire in Syria. The ceasefire took effect at midnight on February 27, Damascus time. It does not apply to terrorist groups operating in the country.