Syria opposition says 'positive step forward' in talks

GENEVA - Agence France-Presse

Syrian Opposition delegation spokesman Louay Safi (C) is surrounded by media after a press briefing on peace talks at the United Nations on January 29, 2014 in Geneva. AFP Photo

Syria's opposition said peace talks with President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Geneva took a step forward on Wednesday with discussions on a transitional government after four days of deadlock.
 
There was no immediate confirmation of this from the regime delegation or UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi.
 
"Today we had a positive step forward because for the first time now we are talking about the transitional governing body, to end dictatorship and end the fighting and the misery in Syria," opposition delegation spokesman Louay Safi told reporters.

 He added he hoped for "more progress in the coming days." Safi said the regime delegation had tried to focus the talks on "issues of terrorism" but was willing to have talks on the framework of political discussions.
 
"We have not really discussed details, but the general framework for the discussions about the transitional governing body," he said, adding that among the topics would be the size, responsibilities and timeframe of a transitional body.