Direct intra-Syrian dialogue still thwarted by high level of mutual mistrust - head of Russian delegation

ASTANA. Feb 16 (Interfax) - Direct intra-Syrian dialogue is still a long way off, the head of the Russian delegation at the Astana meeting, Alexander Lavrentyev said.

"As the practice of holding such meetings shows, direct intra-Syrian dialogue is still a long way away. The volume of mutual mistrust is fairly high, and there are plenty of mutual accusations," he told a press conference after the second round of talks in Astana.

"One should move forward step by step, without leaving room for the spirit of confrontation," he said.