Syria talks to continue Monday

The U.N. envoy for Syria says an upcoming meeting between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov could be "crucial" to help move the Syria peace talks toward a political transition in the country after five years of devastating civil war.

Friday's remarks by Staffan de Mistura came at the end of the first week of Syria peace talks that resumed in Geneva. Kerry is expected in Moscow next week.

He says that he has given both sides homework for the weekend and that when talks continue on Monday, he will strive to reach a "minimum" platform between the government and the opposition teams.

The head of the Syrian opposition delegation at the Geneva peace talks says his side is focused on achieving a "transitional governing body with full executive powers" for Syria.

Asaad al-Zoubi told reporters after meeting the U.N. special envoy Staffan de Mistura on Friday that the opposition remains committed to the goals of the uprising against President Bashar Assad.