Not only are Syrian peace talks in Geneva deadlocked, but so is the promised aid into Syria's city of Homs, according to Agencies Monday.
According to Agence France Presse, Syrian regime and opposition delegations are in heated debate after the regime delegation presented a declaration of principles for negotiations that did not include or mention a transition of power.
Syrian television reported that the regime's "declaration of basic principles" would select a political system "without 'imposed formulas' from abroad," the latter in reference to what regime forces have described as foreign, Western and regional interest for President Bashar Assad to resign and hand over power to a transitional government.
The opposition, as could be expected, immediately rejected the declaration and talks have now stalled.
In related news from Geneva, the U.S. delegation called on the Syrian government to allow aid convoys that have been sent to relieve the starving people of Homs, according to the Department of State's spokesman Monday.
Earlier this week, aid convoys were sent to the besieged central Syria city, but no aid has yet been delivered. The Syria's opposition has accused the government of preventing the convoys from reaching Homs, according to the Associated Press Monday.
According to opposition spokesman Monzer Akbik, regime authorities have blocked 12 trucks that have aid for the people of Homs. "We...judge the regime by what it does, not by what it says," Akbik added.
However, according to Syrian state TV, Syrian officials were meeting with a U.N. representative in Homs on how to conduct the evacuation and deliver the aid.
It is not yet clear when the actual evacuation process will begin.
The deal to deliver aid to Homs and evacuate women and children trapped in the besiegd city was reached Sunday after three days of talks.
