UN envoy rules out new Syria talks 'for time being'

United Nations Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi The international mediator on Syria said on Monday a resumption of peace talks in Geneva between Damascus and the opposition was "out of the question" for the moment. "A return to Geneva is out of question for the time being because the criteria have not been met," UN and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said in Kuwait.
A second round of peace negotiations collapsed in Geneva on February 15.
Brahimi broke off the talks, known as Geneva II, to give the government and opposition an opportunity to take stock, and without setting a date for another round of negotiations.
The conflict in Syria, which has now entered a fourth year, has killed more than 140,000 people and displaced millions since it began in March 2011.
In a briefing to the UN Security Council earlier this month Brahimi accused Syria of delaying efforts to resume Geneva talks, diplomats said.
Source: AFP