Just two days after signing an interim Iran nuclear deal, diplomats announced Syrian peace talks will begin in Geneva on January 22. But skepticism remains.
Syrian government and opposition leaders are set to hold peace talks in Geneva on January 22, the United Nations announced today. The long awaited international peace conference, dubbed Geneva 2, will be the first meeting between Syrian government and opposition forces since the conflict's outbreak 32 months ago. Diplomats are expected to discuss the formation of a transitional governing body, including political and military powers.
In statements, UN leader Ban Ki-moon called the Geneva 2 conference "a mission of hope." Foreign Secretary John Kerry also praised the peace talks as the "best opportunity" to form a transitional government. American and Russian diplomats are also meeting today with Lakhdar Brahimi, U.N. and Arab League envoy to Syria, to discuss the negotiations.
Many political commentators remained preoccupied with Saturday's news of the Iran nuclear deal, but on Twitter the particular timing of the Geneva 2 announcement raised both skepticism and hope.
