UN says Syria talks aimed at ‘political transition’

BEIRUT — A top adviser to the UN envoy for Syria said Tuesday that their “main guidance” for the first Syrian peace talks in 10 months will be a Security Council resolution that calls for a political transition.

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura is putting the “finishing touches on arrangements” for Thursday’s start of talks in Geneva between the government and the opposition, the fourth round since early last year, his chief of staff, Michael Contet, told reporters.

Contet noted that Security Council resolution 2254 asks the envoy to convene “formal negotiations on the political transition process.” The new talks will revolve around three issues: “Credible, inclusive and nonsectarian governance,” a new constitution and free and fair elections.

The last UN-mediated talks were suspended in April amid renewed fighting.