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Syrian Constitutional Talks Marked by Differences, Tensions

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - A week of U.N.-sponsored Syrian peace talks have been marked
   by strong differences between government and opposition delegates on
   what form a new constitution for the battered country should take.

   Syria's warring factions have agreed that the agenda of their next
   meeting, set to begin January 25, would focus on basic principles to be
   included in a new constitution.

   U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen acknowledged that is not
   much, but it could be a door opener to a broader agreement.

   He admitted discussions between the government and opposition
   delegations revealed many differences on positions and were marked by
   tense moments, but said none of that is surprising after 10 years of
   brutal conflict.

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