Second round of Syria talks makes faltering start

A second round of Syria peace talks got off to a shaky start in Geneva, with the two sides complaining about violations of a local ceasefire.

Ahead of the talks, mediator Lakhdar Brahimi told delegates to commit first to discussing both ending the fighting and setting up a transitional government.

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad says Syria is not trying to impose a new agenda.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER FAISAL MEKDAD SAYING:

"We want to discuss the Geneva Communiqué one point by one point, from one point, number one, until the end of this list. So this is the Syrian approach to this discussion and I think this is a very, very constructive approach that should not create any problems."

Amateur video which can not be independently verified by Reuters shows the relentless war on the ground.

Against this backdrop the opposition is calling for an end to the fighting.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRIAN NATIONAL COALIT