Second round of Syrian peace talks open in poisonous atmosphere

The second round of Syrian peace negotiations in Geneva were launched in a toxic atmosphere yesterday as the government and opposition accused each other’s fighters in Homs of firing on UN convoys escorting hundreds of civilians from the besieged old city.

The ceasefire, agreed at the end of the first round of talks, has become a bone of contention rather than a confidence-building measure.

Nevertheless, the Syrian Red Crescent and UN evacuated another 300 people, boosting the overall total to 1,000 on the fourth day of the ceasefire as UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi held separate talks at the Palais des Nations with the delegations.

Mr Brahimi presented the sides with an eight-page document laying out the work plan for the negotiations, expected to last a week.