International efforts to halt the fighting in Syria stepped up a gear on Thursday with the news that top UN negotiator Staffan de Mistura has been invited to participate in upcoming talks sponsored by Russia, Iran and Turkey.

It seems almost certain that Mr de Mistura will take part in discussions in Kazakhstan, next week after UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement in support of the development.

UN Special Adviser Jan Egeland told journalists in Geneva that there had been no improvements in getting aid through to the needy despite a fragile ceasefire generally holding.

Daniel Johnson has more.

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