Burkhalter: Swiss to lead Syria working group talks in Geneva

Swiss diplomats are set to lead one of four working groups on how to implement a roadmap to peace in Syria, Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter told Swiss public television (SRF) on Tuesday. Mediators are due to begin work in Geneva in the coming days. Burkhalter told SRF that Switzerland would help support the UN-led working groups, which would include representatives of the Syrian government and Syrian opposition groups. He said he expected mediators to start work in Geneva in November.  The UN mediator in Syria's conflict, Staffan de Mistura told the UN Security Council in July that these groups would address safety and protection for all, political and constitutional issues, military and security issues, and public institutions, reconstruction and development.  De Mistura told the council that he felt it was too soon for another full-blown peace conference in Geneva. Two Syria conferences were held in Geneva in 2012 and 2014, but failed to bring peace.  ...