UN sets Syria peace talks target date, after death of rebel chief

The United Nations hopes to convene peace talks between Syria's government and opposition on January 25, it said Saturday, a day after a the killing of powerful "rebel leader" who supported negotiations.


UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura's office said he has "intensified efforts" towards convening talks on January 25, hopefully including the "broadest possible spectrum" of opposition representatives.

He "counts on full cooperation of all the relevant Syrian parties in this process," the statement said, adding: "Continuing developments on the ground should not be allowed to derail it."

The talks are the first step of an ambitious 18-month plan endorsed by the UN Security Council to bring an end to Syria's war, which has killed more than 250,000 people...
  AFP
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26/12/15