GENEVA: The Syrian peace talks in Geneva on Monday between delegations representing the Bashar al-Assad-led government and foreign-backed opposition hit a deadlock over divisive issue of transferring power to transitional government.
The deadlock occurred when the opposition rejected a declaration of principles for negotiations presented by the Syrian government delegation because the declaration stressed that Syrian people would choose a political system without “imposed formulas” from other countries.
The opposition said that talks should focus on the transition of power.
“The government delegation presented a statement on essential principles to save Syria…[and] its people from extremist terrorism,” a foreign news agency quoted a source close to the Syrian delegation as saying.
However, a Syrian presidential adviser said that talks would continue despite the current stalemate.
“We shall continue because Syria is very important for us, the Syrian people are very important for us and we want to continue talking until we find a solution,” Bouthaina Shaaban said.