ASTANA. Jan 23 (Interfax) - The Syrian government delegation is set to hold direct talks with the armed opposition in Astana, Syrian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Bashar al-Jaafari, who leads the Damascus delegation at the talks in Astana, said.
Asked whether they are ready to direct talks with the opposition and would like to hold them, he said: "Yes."
"We have just arrived. We will likely hold meetings with some parties. We still do not know [whether the direct talks will take place]. We are still waiting for the information about what preparations the hosting country has undertaken," he also said.