UN Syria Mediator: Encouraged by Discussions So Far

Civil war continues

The UN mediator for the Syrian peace talks Lakhdar Brahimi is encouraged by the discussions he has had so far with the Syrian government and the opposition.

Both parties have agreed to meet for talks "in the same room" on Saturday. They accept that their talks will be based on the 2012 "Geneva 1" communique which called for a transitional governing body to be set up.