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| Syria Geneva talks: Some common ground, says Brahimi | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| UN Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has said that progress at the Syria peace talks in Geneva has been slow but forms a basis on which the two sides can build. | UN Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has said that progress at the Syria peace talks in Geneva has been slow but forms a basis on which the two sides can build. |
| "I observed a little bit of common ground, perhaps more than the two sides themselves realise or recognise," he told reporters. | "I observed a little bit of common ground, perhaps more than the two sides themselves realise or recognise," he told reporters. |
| The government and opposition discussed humanitarian issues and how to end the violence. | |
| Another round of talks has been scheduled for 10 February. | Another round of talks has been scheduled for 10 February. |
| The opposition has agreed to take part, but the government needs to consult first with Damascus, Mr Brahimi said. | The opposition has agreed to take part, but the government needs to consult first with Damascus, Mr Brahimi said. |
| "Progress is very slow indeed, but the sides have engaged in an acceptable manner," he said, quoting from a prepared statement. | "Progress is very slow indeed, but the sides have engaged in an acceptable manner," he said, quoting from a prepared statement. |
| "This is a very modest beginning, but it is a beginning on which we can build." | "This is a very modest beginning, but it is a beginning on which we can build." |
| Though the gap between the two sides was "wide", they had become used to sitting in the same room, Mr Brahimi added. | |
| "There have been moments when one side has even acknowledged the concerns and difficulties of the other side." | "There have been moments when one side has even acknowledged the concerns and difficulties of the other side." |
| The first round of talks, between the government and the opposition National Coalition, ended after a week. | |
| Key issues are halting the violence, getting humanitarian aid to get to besieged communities, and a future political settlement. | |
| Both sides have agreed to use a 2012 document known as the Geneva Communique as a basis for discussions. | |
| The document includes proposals for a transitional government and democratic elections. | |
| The opposition has insisted on addressing the question of a transitional government - which it believes would mean President Bashar al-Assad stepping down. | |
| The government has been stressing that the first step is to discuss "terrorism". |