Summary
The U.N. special envoy for Syria said Monday that talks on ending the civil war have now officially started, following his first formal meeting with the main opposition umbrella group in Geneva.
Syria's main opposition group met formally for the first time Monday with the U.N. special envoy although it was unclear whether they would agree to indirect peace talks with the Assad government.
The HNC is insisting that humanitarian aid reach towns under government siege before it will agree to enter indirect talks with President Bashar Assad's government, which are scheduled to last six months.
Outside powers were also in Geneva keeping a close eye on proceedings, with the Syrian government's chief negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari reportedly meeting with the Russian ambassador, and Western envoys touching base with the opposition on Sunday.
Another thorny issue in Geneva is which rebel groups will be involved in the talks, although all sides agree on the exclusion of ISIS and Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda's Syrian branch.
Speaking Monday, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said he was "extremely glad" the talks had started, describing them as "long overdue".
Thursday an international donor conference in London will discuss how to help 13.5 million people vulnerable or displaced inside Syria, as well as 4.2 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.
...