Syria’s cessation of hostilities is open-ended in the view of the United Nations and the major powers, U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said Wednesday, brushing off a widespread perception that the truce needed renewing after two weeks.
De Mistura plans to launch substantive peace talks on Monday, and said they will focus on the core issues of governance, elections within 18 months and a new constitution. The round of talks would not run beyond March 24, when there would be a break before resuming.