Peace talks between the warring parties in Syria, which were scheduled to open Monday, will begin in Geneva on Jan. 29 and will last for six months, the U.N.'s Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said.
De Mistura told reporters that the start date was pushed back because of a "stalemate" over the make up of the delegations, but that the invitations to the delegates were expected to be sent out Tuesday.
"We are going to aim at proximity talks starting on the 29th and ongoing for six months" De Mistura said.
He said the talks will push for a countrywide ceasefire, including all parties except the two groups designated as "terrorists" by the United Nations.
"The condition is it should be a real ceasefire and not just local," De Mistura said. "Suspension of fighting regarding ISIL (ISIS) and al Nusra (Nusra Front) is not on the table. However (there are) plenty of other suspensions of fighting that can take place." (Agencies- The Daily Star)
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