Syrian talks set to centre on power transfer
Monday, 27 January 2014
The Syrian peace talks in Geneva are due to move on to wider political questions such as the divisive issue of transfer of power in the country.
But discussions are also expected to continue on aid convoys reaching besieged areas in the city of Homs.
On Sunday, the Syrian government delegation said women and children may leave the city - but demanded a list of names of men who want to leave, reports BBC News on Jan 27.
Some opposition delegates expressed reservations over the conditions.
Officially the negotiations are due to tackle the potentially explosive question of transferring power in Syria on Monday, reports the BBC's Bridget Kendall in Geneva.
Those discussions may still happen - but there is likely to be new pressure on President Bashar al-Assad's government over whether it will comply with a UN plan to send humanitarian aid to Homs, the BBC correspondent says.
UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said the opposition had agreed to give the government lists of detainees held by armed groups.
He said he hoped a humanitarian convoy from the UN and the Red Cross would be able to go to Homs on Monday.
Hundreds of people are reportedly trapped in the Old City of Homs, which has been under siege since June 2012.
Mr Brahimi admitted the Geneva talks were proceeding slowly but said that on Monday he "expected the two parties to make some general statement about the way forward".
He said it was "too early" to assess the prospects of a comprehensive deal.