GENEVA
The U.N.-sponsored talks on Syria have been extended to next month, the organization said on Wednesday.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the U.N.’s special envoy Staffan de Mistura said he and his deputy had met representatives of the Syrian government, the opposition and 39 Syrian political and civil society groups over the last five weeks.
They had also met officials from interested countries and regional organizations, spokeswoman Jessy Chahine added.
The talks in Geneva started ahead of the three-year anniversary of the Geneva Communique that specified a six-point plan to stop the four-year conflict, which has resulted in more than 220,000 deaths, and move towards a political settlement.
Turkey has been pushing for the full implementation of the communique.
"Mistura reiterates his sincere hope and belief that guns will fall silent one day,” Chahine said. “It is inevitable, as has been seen in other conflicts. The sooner they fall silent, the more lives will be saved. It is the responsibility of all Syrian, regional and international actors to try to bring that day forward and to make every effort to protect civilians under any circumstances and at all times."
