Syria constitution talks at UN suspended over coronavirus cases

Syrian constitutional talks at the UN involving Syrian regime, opposition and civil society envoys were put on hold almost as soon as they started on Monday after three delegates tested positive for COVID-19.

The UN has been striving for more than nine years to nurture a political resolution to Syria’s civil war.

The office of UN Syria envoy Geir Pedersen said the three delegations had gotten off to a “constructive first meeting” before the talks were suspended, according to The Associated Press.

Participants were tested for the coronavirus before and after arrival in Geneva, the UN envoy’s office said.