Syria talks start as scheduled in Geneva

UN mediator for Syria Staffan de Mistura delivers a statement after the opening of the Syrian peace talks at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 29, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Despite risks and tensions, the special envoy iterated that no preconditions will be set and that given the situations and taking into account past setbacks, the time has come to produce results.

"This is not Geneva 3; this is leading to what we hope will be a Geneva success story if we are able to push it forward," he noted.

The first stages of the talks are expected to last between two to three weeks and the entire talks over six months.