Representatives of Syrian opposition arrive in Astana

Representatives of Syrian opposition groups arrived at Kazakh capital of Astana for peace negotiations, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, Anuar Zhainakov said.

The delegations from Russia, Turkey and Iran as well as UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura have already arrived at Astana.

"I can confirm to you: the delegation of the Syrian opposition is already in Astana," Jainakov told RIA.

The spokesman added that the Assad regime’s delegation would arrive later.

The Astana talks on Syrian settlement would last 24 hours and be held behind closed doors, Russian media sources reported.

The talks will start at 07:00 GMT on January 23 and are expected to end at 07:00 GMT on January 24, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry has said.

The Russian ministry noted that the talks would be held in the hotel Rixos President Astana.

“Please be informed that the talks will be held behind closed doors,” the Russian media guide said.

The final press conference was scheduled for 08:00 GMT, January 24 but it was unclear whether the conference would be held.