(VOVworld) – UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has set April 9 as a “target date” for indirect peace talks to resume in Geneva, disregarding the Syrian government’s plan to hold parliamentary elections in government-held parts of Syria on April 13.

U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura looks on at the opening of a meeting with Syrian government representatives during Syrian Peace talks at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: Reuters)

Mr. Mistura told reporters he felt authorized to comment only on the elections monitored by the UN. He added that the government delegation had been extremely focused on principles that would precede the talks, and he now hopes to upshift into substantive talks toward political transition. Mistura said neither side has rejected his proposed ground rules for the talks.

Meanwhile Syrian chief negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari said that Syria is not ready to participate in the talks until after the parliamentary elections.