DHAKA: The two rival delegations at the Geneva peace talks have reportedly made first steps towards discussing a transitional government in the war-torn country.

Syria’s opposition National Coalition spokesman Louay Safi said on Wednesday, reports The Voice of Russia.

Safi called Wednesday’s negotiations a ‘positive step forward’ saying it was the first time the two sides had touched on the framework of a transitional authority.

‘We hope to see even more progress in the next few days,’ the spokesman told journalists.

Safi said the regime delegation had tried to focus the talks on ‘issues of terrorism’ but was willing to have talks on the framework of political discussions.

‘We have not really discussed details, but the general framework for the discussions about the transitional governing body,’ he said, adding that among the topics would be the size, responsibilities and timeframe of a transitional body.

There was no immediate confirmation of this from the regime delegation or UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi.

BDST: 1952 HRS, JAN 29, 2014