Syrian Peace Talks Begin In Kazakhstan

Bloomberg: Russia’s Syria Peace Effort With Iran, Turkey Hits Obstacles

* Rebels won’t meet directly with Assad officials in Kazakhstan
* Meeting seeks to cement truce, encourage dialogue, Russia says

The joint initiative by Russia, Turkey and Iran to end the six-year war in Syria suffered a setback when opposition groups rejected face-to-face meetings with government representatives at peace talks in Kazakhstan.

“There will be no direct negotiations,” Osama Abu Zaid, a member of the opposition delegation, said after the meeting began Monday in the Kazakh capital, Astana. The rebels and the Syrian government will hold talks in separate rooms with mediation by Turkey and Russia, he said.

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More News On Syrian Peace Talks Beginning In Kazakhstan

Harsh exchanges make for a rocky start to latest Syria talks -- AP
Expectations low as Syria's warring sides meet -- Reuters
Syria conflict: War of words as peace talks open in Astana -- BBC
Syrian government, opposition enter first day of Astana talks --

DW
At Russia-led talks, Syrian rebels and government meet for the first time -- Washington Post
Syria peace talks: shaky start as rebels refuse to negotiate face to face -- The Guardian
Rocky start to Syria peace talks in Astana -- CNN
Syria's warring sides kick off talks in Astana -- Al Jazeera
Syria Truce Talks Under Way In Astana -- RFE
Syria talks set to begin in Astana as ceasefire holds -- Al Jazeera
Syrian armed opposition & Assad govt reps gather for talks in Kazakhstan -- RT
Syria rebels vow to continue fighting if Astana talks fail: Spokesman -- AFP
Syrian opposition: We’ll continue to fight if Astana fails -- Al Arabiya
Astana talks draft communique: Russia, Turkey, Iran to fight against IS, al-Nusra together -- TASS
Russian, Iranian, Turkish Delegations Holding Trilateral Talks on Syria -- Sputnik
Syria Peace Talks: Why Were Some Nations Invited and Others Not? -- Alexey Eremenko and Ziad Jaber, NBC