Opposition spokesman Yahya Aridi said on Tuesday that the Damascus delegation told UN envoy Staffan de Mistura they will not negotiate directly. Mr Aridi said the opposition delegates "consider this to be a precondition". He said Mr de Mistura told them about the government's stance. There was no immediate response from the government team in Switzerland. Syrian opposition and government delegates are back in Geneva for a new round of UN-sponsored talks after a short break.

Source: Irish Independent December 12, 2017 12:00 UTC