Syria talks: Mediator apologises to the Syrian people for lack of progress in peace talks

Violence has continued unabated in Syria while the talks have taken place

The UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi has apologised to the Syrian people after peace talks in Geneva ended without making progress. He had held final discussions with both sides in Geneva in a last-ditch bid to break the stalemate between the Syrian government and opposition.

Mr Brahimi said the main sticking point was the government's refusal to talk about a transitional governing body.

Although the two sides had agreed on an agenda for the next round, Mr Brahimi said the government had rejected his suggestion to begin a third round by spending a day focusing on combating violence and terrorism, and a second day discussing a transitional government.

Correspondents say at least 5,000 people are believed to have died since the first round of the Geneva talks began on 22 January.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26207315

Mr. Brahimi is not the one who should be apologizing. The two sides (and their big-power backers) should be the ones apologizing to the Syrian people.