Syrian gov’t envoys threatens to leave talks

Syrian government envoys threatened on Friday to leave a peace conference on ending the conflict should efforts to secure a face-to-face meeting with opposition representatives fail.

Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem told U.N. and Arab League mediator Lakhdar Brahimi that his delegation was prepared to walk out of the talks if the historic meeting doesn’t happen by Saturday, the Information Ministry said.

Mr. Brahimi held talks with government representatives, and is expected to meet opposition leaders separately later on Friday.

The main point of contention is the future of President Bashar al-Assad. The opposition says he must go, and the government insists the issue is a “red line” that is not up for discussion.