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Syria conflict: Geneva peace talks to open amid uncertainty Syria conflict: Geneva peace talks under way amid uncertainty
(about 1 hour later)
Syria peace talks are due to get under way in Geneva amid confusion over whether opposition groups will attend. Syria peace talks have begun in Geneva amid confusion over whether opposition groups will attend.
Some opposition leaders have said they first want an end to air strikes and blockades by government forces. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura opened the talks by meeting the Syrian government's delegation on Friday afternoon.
UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said he would open the talks by meeting the Syrian government's delegation. However, some opposition leaders have said they want an end to air strikes and blockades by government forces as a precursor to talks.
"He will continue meetings with other participants in the talks and with representatives of the civil society subsequently," his office said.
More than 250,000 people have died in almost five years of war in Syria.More than 250,000 people have died in almost five years of war in Syria.
About 11 million others have been forced from their homes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from so-called Islamic State (IS).About 11 million others have been forced from their homes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from so-called Islamic State (IS).
The so-called proximity talks are expected to last for six months, with delegations sitting in separate rooms and UN officials shuttling between them.
What hope for the talks?
In a separate development, the Dutch government announced it was planning to extend air strikes against IS militants to Syria.In a separate development, the Dutch government announced it was planning to extend air strikes against IS militants to Syria.
The Dutch are already bombing IS targets in neighbouring Iraq.The Dutch are already bombing IS targets in neighbouring Iraq.
Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaer said attacking the IS group in Syria would lead to "more progress".Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaer said attacking the IS group in Syria would lead to "more progress".
'Not in Geneva''Not in Geneva'
In a video message to the Syrian people on Thursday, Mr de Mistura warned the talks "cannot fail".In a video message to the Syrian people on Thursday, Mr de Mistura warned the talks "cannot fail".
But it is unclear whether he will have both sides taking part. "He will continue meetings with other participants in the talks and with representatives of the civil society subsequently," his office said.
The Syrian government delegation is led by the country's ambassador to the UN, Bashar al-Jaafari, and he has reportedly already arrived to the Swiss city. The Syrian government delegation is led by the country's ambassador to the UN, Bashar al-Jaafari.
On Thursday, Riad Hijab, head of the opposition's Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC), declared that "tomorrow, we will not be in Geneva".On Thursday, Riad Hijab, head of the opposition's Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC), declared that "tomorrow, we will not be in Geneva".
He was speaking after a meeting in Riyadh in which the committee, which was formed after a conference of political and armed factions last month, said it wanted an end to the bombing of civilians and assurances that aid would reach civilians in besieged towns.He was speaking after a meeting in Riyadh in which the committee, which was formed after a conference of political and armed factions last month, said it wanted an end to the bombing of civilians and assurances that aid would reach civilians in besieged towns.
On Friday, HNC member Hind Kabawat told the BBC: "We can't sit down and negotiate when our people need milk. We need to stop the sieges. We need to stop the starvation of our people."On Friday, HNC member Hind Kabawat told the BBC: "We can't sit down and negotiate when our people need milk. We need to stop the sieges. We need to stop the starvation of our people."
But another senior figure with the committee, Hassan Abdel Azim, said that members of the opposition were on their way to Geneva, and others would follow.But another senior figure with the committee, Hassan Abdel Azim, said that members of the opposition were on their way to Geneva, and others would follow.
The so-called proximity talks are expected to last for six months, with delegations sitting in separate rooms and UN officials shuttling between them.
The immediate priorities are a broad ceasefire, humanitarian aid deliveries and halting the threat posed by IS. But the ultimate aim is a peace settlement that includes a transitional period ending with elections, in line with a UN Security Council resolution approved last month.The immediate priorities are a broad ceasefire, humanitarian aid deliveries and halting the threat posed by IS. But the ultimate aim is a peace settlement that includes a transitional period ending with elections, in line with a UN Security Council resolution approved last month.
The last talks aimed at ending the conflict broke down in February 2014 after only two rounds, with the UN blaming the government for refusing to discuss an opposition demand for Mr Assad to step down.The last talks aimed at ending the conflict broke down in February 2014 after only two rounds, with the UN blaming the government for refusing to discuss an opposition demand for Mr Assad to step down.
Despite little sign of a change in that stance, the rise of the IS group prompted the US and Russia to step up their efforts to get the warring parties back to the negotiating table.Despite little sign of a change in that stance, the rise of the IS group prompted the US and Russia to step up their efforts to get the warring parties back to the negotiating table.
In his message, Mr de Mistura warned that these talks could be the country's last chance for peace.In his message, Mr de Mistura warned that these talks could be the country's last chance for peace.
"Now we need to hear your voice to everyone who is coming to this conference, and saying this conference must be an opportunity not to be missed," he said."Now we need to hear your voice to everyone who is coming to this conference, and saying this conference must be an opportunity not to be missed," he said.