Syrian opposition, Assad representatives start talks in MoscowJanuary 28, 2015 - 14:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian opposition figures and representatives of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad began talks in Moscow Wednesday, Jan 28, aimed at restarting long-stalled peace negotiations to end the country's brutal war, AFP reports. The 32 members of various opposition groups tolerated by the authorities in Damascus and six members of the official Syrian delegation led by the ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari began their meeting at 0700 GMT, one of the opposition participants told AFP. The Kremlin-sponsored talks were not expected to yield a major breakthrough as the main opposition group, the exiled National Coalition, has refused to attend. The leading internationally-recognized opponents of Assad have stayed away, arguing that Russia - one of Assad's few remaining allies - cannot be an honest broker. The opposition source at the meeting said that those attending were putting forward a "ten-point list" aimed at defusing the nearly four years of civil war that has claimed more than 200,000 lives since 2011. The source said that the opposition figures at the meeting would not immediately insist on establishing a transition government to ease Assad from power. After the meeting this morning, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was set to meet the Syrian delegation. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |