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Conflict in Syria

UN peace talks on Syria to last for six months — special envoy

Securing a ceasefire and space to deliver humanitarian aid to suffering Syrians will be among the first priorities

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura

© EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI

GENEVA, January 25. /TASS/. International peace talks on Syria expected to start on January 29 will last for six months, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said on Monday.

"We are going to aim at proximity talks starting on the 29th and ongoing for six months," De Mistura said, adding that the first round was expected to last between two to three weeks.

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Securing a ceasefire and space to deliver humanitarian aid to suffering Syrians will be among the first priorities, he added.

Mistura said the priorities would be "creating a broad ceasefire, stopping the threat from the Islamic State (IS) group and clearing the way for humanitarian aid."

"The condition is it should be a real ceasefire and not just local," de Mistura said. "Suspension of fighting regarding ISIL and al Nusra is not on the table. However (there are) plenty of other suspensions of fighting that can take place."

He added that the "proximity talks" between the two sides are expected to last six months. According to the UN official, "this will not be Geneva-3.".

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