Syria peace talks focus on power transfer, aid to besieged Homs

GENEVA – Tense negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition are entering a fifth day with talks focusing on the transfer of power and helping besieged parts of the central city of Homs.

There has been little progress so far toward resolving a key stumbling block over whether President Bashar Assad should step aside and transfer power to a transitional government.

Anas al-Abdeh, a member of the opposition Syrian National Coalition's negotiating team, told The Associated Press on Tuesday the transition remains "our main priority at the moment."

But he said negotiators would also raise the issue of bringing humanitarian aid convoys to Homs, adding "the regime is still insisting on its systematic starvation policy."

The focus on Homs and release of detainees are meant as confidence-building measures.