BREAKING NEWS

Spain to hold Syria opposition talks in January

Spain will hold a meeting ofSyrian opposition groups in early January ahead of next month'splanned peace talks, known as "Geneva 2", aimed at halting thethree-year war in Syria, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoysaid on Friday.

Rajoy, speaking after a two-day summit of European leadersin Brussels, said the conference would take place on Jan. 9 and10 in the southern city of Cordoba. The Geneva talks arescheduled for Jan. 22.

"(The) aim is to bolster dialogue between the groups andboost their cohesion ahead of Geneva 2," Rajoy told reporters.