(VOVworld) - UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura said Monday that peace negotiations to end the civil war in Syria have begun.

The opposition delegation is seeking the lifting of sieges and the end of attacks on civilians. (Photo: AFP)

Addressing a press conference, Mistura said that while the talks will be tough, Syrians deserve some kind of outcome. Though he didn’t say how long the first round will last, he said he hopes to see some result by February 11^th.

On Tuesday, Mistura met with the Syrian government delegation and the High Negotiations Committee (HNC).

The same day UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged parties to hasten the negotiations. Ban said negotiations have taken too long and all parties should think of the Syrian people’s welfare. He said the lives of people should be at the center of the discussions because they have been the main victims of the bloody fighting. Ban called on Iran and Saudi Arabia to join efforts to end the civil war.