The United Nations special envoy for Syria concluded yesterday a marathon of tough but constructive talks in Geneva with an agreement from the conflicting parties to pursue further talks on a political transition to end the six-year war. <br/><br/>For nine days, seasoned diplomat Staffan de Mistura engaged proxy talks with a delegation representing the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and three opposition groups that only convened<br/>at the opening ceremony. <br/><br/>Speaking to reporters after another long day of meetings, the envoy said the parties had agreed to return later in March to discuss four key issues — governance, a draft constitution, elections and counter-terrorism. Setting the agenda proved a tricky task for this round of talks, dubbed Geneva 4, which aimed to restore hope in a negotiated solution to a conflict that has raged for six years and claimed, by most counts, nearly half a million lives. <br/><br/>The envoy said that after a ten-month pause it was unavoidable for procedure to dominate the talks but credited all sides for also addressing issues of substance. He noted Damascus had placed emphasis on discussing addressing terrorism while the opposition sought to keep the focus on talks of a political transition.<br/>''''''<br/>

The United Nations special envoy for Syria concluded yesterday a marathon of tough but constructive talks in Geneva with an agreement from the conflicting parties to pursue further talks on a political transition to end the six-year war. <br/><br/>For nine days, seasoned diplomat Staffan de Mistura engaged proxy talks with a delegation representing the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and three opposition groups that only convened<br/>at the opening ceremony. <br/><br/>Speaking to reporters after another long day of meetings, the envoy said the parties had agreed to return later in March to discuss four key issues — governance, a draft constitution, elections and counter-terrorism. Setting the agenda proved a tricky task for this round of talks, dubbed Geneva 4, which aimed to restore hope in a negotiated solution to a conflict that has raged for six years and claimed, by most counts, nearly half a million lives. <br/><br/>The envoy said that after a ten-month pause it was unavoidable for procedure to dominate the talks but credited all sides for also addressing issues of substance. He noted Damascus had placed emphasis on discussing addressing terrorism while the opposition sought to keep the focus on talks of a political transition.<br/>''''''<br/>

The United Nations special envoy for Syria concluded yesterday a marathon of tough but constructive talks in Geneva with an agreement from the conflicting parties to pursue further talks on a political transition to end the six-year war. <br/><br/>For nine days, seasoned diplomat Staffan de Mistura engaged proxy talks with a delegation representing the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and three opposition groups that only convened<br/>at the opening ceremony. <br/><br/>Speaking to reporters after another long day of meetings, the envoy said the parties had agreed to return later in March to discuss four key issues — governance, a draft constitution, elections and counter-terrorism. Setting the agenda proved a tricky task for this round of talks, dubbed Geneva 4, which aimed to restore hope in a negotiated solution to a conflict that has raged for six years and claimed, by most counts, nearly half a million lives. <br/><br/>The envoy said that after a ten-month pause it was unavoidable for procedure to dominate the talks but credited all sides for also addressing issues of substance. He noted Damascus had placed emphasis on discussing addressing terrorism while the opposition sought to keep the focus on talks of a political transition.<br/>''''''<br/>

<br/>The United Nations special envoy for Syria concluded yesterday a marathon of tough but constructive talks in Geneva with an agreement from the conflicting parties to pursue further talks on a political transition to end the six-year war. <br/><br/>For nine days, seasoned diplomat Staffan de Mistura engaged proxy talks with a delegation representing the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and three opposition groups that only convened<br/>at the opening ceremony. <br/><br/>Speaking to reporters after another long day of meetings, the envoy said the parties had agreed to return later in March to discuss four key issues — governance, a draft constitution, elections and counter-terrorism. Setting the agenda proved a tricky task for this round of talks, dubbed Geneva 4, which aimed to restore hope in a negotiated solution to a conflict that has raged for six years and claimed, by most counts, nearly half a million lives. <br/><br/>The envoy said that after a ten-month pause it was unavoidable for procedure to dominate the talks but credited all sides for also addressing issues of substance. He noted Damascus had placed emphasis on discussing addressing terrorism while the opposition sought to keep the focus on talks of a political transition.<br/>''''''<br/>