BRUSSELS. Jan 31 (Interfax) - The first round of negotiations between Syria's government and opposition delegations will close in Geneva on Friday.
Continuing sharp disagreements over a whole range of issues have not allowed the sides to engage in direct talks in which UN-Arab League peace envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi would not be required to act as a mediator, or to secure any breakthrough in the search for a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis.
Numerous topics have been addressed during the talks, including the opposition's insistence on forming a transitional ruling body in Syria, while the government's delegation centered on the fight against terrorism and the need to maintain security in the country.
The need to provide humanitarian aid to a number of Syrian districts, including the town of Homs and its suburbs, was high on the meeting's agenda.
So far, the sides have not reached an agreement on any of these issues, although Brahimi said that the talks "were not bad for a start."
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Brahimi said that, hopefully, the next round of Syrian settlement talks would be more orderly.
The sides have learned their lessons from this round, and the delegations will try to act in a more orderly fashion during the next meeting, he said.
The next round of talks between Syria's government and opposition delegations is expected to begin on February 10.