New round of Geneva peace talks on Syria ends without any "real negotiations"

The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said on Thursday evening that the 8th round of the Intra-Syrian peace talks just ended in Geneva without any "real negotiations".

He said that despite great efforts, "real negotiations" did not take place, and the scheduled topics of constitution and election under UN Security Council Resolution 2254 have not even been discussed with the Syrian government delegation in a "missed golden opportunity."

"There is no alternative but to have the legitimacy of the UN," said the UN envoy who explained that before the process goes on, he will report back to the UN Security Council in New York.

He would also seek advice from special ambassadors from the Permanent Five members of the Security Council who he has been consulting.

De Mistura noted that both the Syrian government side and the opposition group had accused each other of setting preconditions.

"We are not going to give up at the moment," he said when "the Syrian people believe there should be some process without precondition."