The U.N. envoy for Syria wrapped up a fifth round of talks between opposition leaders and the government, pointing to "incremental" progress while acknowledging no peace deal is foreseeable as the country enters its seventh year of war.

 

After eight days of talks in Geneva, U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura says negotiators appeared "keen" on taking up a new round, but added Friday he wouldn't announce a new start date before consulting with the organization's Security Council and secretary-general.

At news conferences in recent days, the two main delegations traded accusations of terrorism.

De Mistura said substantive matters were discussed but declined to specify, other than pointing to the initial broad agenda points of governance, elections, a constitution and fighting terrorism.

Source: Ahram online