UN cannot confirm Russia’s postponing of Syria talks, official

The United Nations cannot confirm a Russian statement that talks on Syria  planned for February 8 in Geneva have been postponed, a spokeswoman for UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura said on Friday.

"There is no confirmation that the February talks are postponed," said Yara Sharif. "We’re going to be sure when the special envoy is back" from talks next week with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, she added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier on Friday that the Geneva talks would be postponed until the end of February.