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Syrian peace talks based on UNSC resolution 2254 - spokesperson

GENEVA, Feb 17 (KUNA) -- Negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition that will begin in Geneva next week will be based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254, a UN spokesperson said Friday.
Resolution 2254 "speaks specifically about ruling mechanisms in Syria, the new constitution and holding of elections," Yara Sharif, spokesperson of the UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura, told reporters.
She said de Mistura held a series of meeting earlier this week as part of preparations for next week's talks.
Sharif said the meetings in Brussels, Rome, Moscow and Munich would contribute to narrowing gaps of differences between the Syrian government and opposition before official launch of talks.
She said officials from de Mistura's office took part in meetings in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on February 16-17 and provided technical support regarding the monitoring of the ceasefire.
The Astana talks, sponsored by Iran, Turkey and Russia, were attended by representatives from the Syrian government and opposition. Jordan and the US attended as observors.
Sharif said the outcome of Astana meetings would contribute to maintaining the ceasefire and create a suitable environment for the February 23 Geneva talks.
De Mistura, she added, underlined importance that the Syrian parties adopt confidence-building measures including the release of prisoners, facilitation of humanitarian aid delivery and freedom of civilians' movement.
The UN Security Council approved resolution 2254 in December 2015, which called for start of Syrian peace talks in January 2016, and that the Syrian people are the onse to decide their future. (end) ta.bs