MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The UN Security Council resolution 2254 adopted on December 18, 2015 stipulated the January launch of the talks between the Syrian government and the opposition in order to settle the ongoing civil war.
"In the second half of the day we intend to start negotiations with the government delegation. We are also looking for the reply from the opposition on their participation in the talks. We look for their reply by the end of the day, maybe earlier. We are ready to start negotiations with the opposition today if they arrive," Mattar said.
The discussions on the Syrian crisis settlement will last at least six months with the first part of the negotiations to last approximately two-three weeks.
Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the country’s government fighting a number of opposition factions and radical Islamist groups, including al-Nusra and Daesh terrorists.