Damascus is willing to hold direct negotiations with Syrian opposition factions in Geneva and meet with UN Special Envoy Stefan de Mistura, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad announced on Tuesday.

Although De Mistura insists on mediating in the talks between the two delegates, Damascus does not reject conducting face-to-face meeting with the opposition, Mekdad said in a statement.

He added the Syrian government is prepared to start the negotiations on April 15, asserting that Damascus seeks to reach a solution to the crisis. 

Source : MENA