Intra-Syrian Talks to Resume March 9 in Geneva

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura plans on resuming the intra-Syria talks as of the afternoon of 9 March, according to his spokeswoman.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is planning to resume the intra-Syria talks on March 9, but some delegations will not arrive in Geneva until March 12-13, his spokeswoman said Monday.

"Mr. de Mistura plans on resuming the talks as of the afternoon of 9 March. He and his team stand ready to receive all the participants as of this date and will be conducting preliminary consultations prior to substantive discussions as per the agenda set by Security Council resolution 2254. Due to logistical arrangements, some participants will be arriving on the 12th and 13th," Jessy Chahine told RIA Novosti.

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.

Last week, de Mistura told Arab media the talks were expected to officially kick off on March 10.

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.