First goal of Syrian peace talks _ aid to besieged city _ would provide rare tangible success

Louay Safi spokesperson for the Syrian National Coalition, Syria's main political opposition group, gestures as he speaks to journalists at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014. The Syrian government and the country's opposition held direct talks on Saturday for the first time since they entered into a war three years ago, the UN said. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) (The Associated Press)

Syrian opposition chief negotiator Hadi Bahra, front 3rd from left, returns with his delegation after a break of the meeting, at the European headquarters of the United Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014. Two Syrian delegations, representatives of Syrian President Bashar Assad and Syrian opposition, are meeting together with the Joint Special Representative.(AP Photo/Keystone,Salvatore Di Nolfi) (The Associated Press)

Syrians on opposite sides of their country's civil war are trying again to find common ground, with talks focusing on an aid convoy to a besieged city and possible prisoner exchanges.

The delegation for President Bashar Assad complained Sunday that the talks are avoiding the main issues and questioned their usefulness. The U.N. mediator says the thorniest topic — a possible transitional government — will not come up until at least Monday.

The Western-backed opposition, made up largely of exiled Syrians, says Assad has lost legitimacy and can no longer lead a country after unleashing the military on largely peaceful protests nearly three years ago. The government says the rebellion is rife with terrorists and that Assad is the only person able to end the fighting that has killed 130,000 people.