Syria talks focusing on planned 'congress' in Russia 12/22/2017 9:13:46 AM Since the start of Syrias war in 2011, numerous diplomatic attempts to halt the conflict have stumble AFP, DEC. 20, 2017 --The main powerbrokers in Syria's nearly seven-year conflict were heading towards a second day of negotiations in Astana as uncertainly loomed Thursday over a Moscow-driven plan to quickly reach a political settlement. Chief Russian negotiator Aleksandr Lavrentyev told journalists that Russia was forging ahead with plans to host a 'National Dialogue Congress' in the Black Sea resort of Sochi to accelerate discussions over a political deal that have sputtered in Geneva. The  United Nations  ' special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has refused to say if the UN will back a plan promoted by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but viewed warily by opponents of his government. Speaking after the first day of talks Thursday, Lavrentyev said...