France's Fabius Doubts Breakthrough at Syria Talks

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius played down expectations Monday for next month's talks in Geneva on the Syrian conflict, saying he doubted they would mark a breakthrough.

The "Geneva 2" meeting is slated for January 22 and aims to bring together Syria's opposition and President Bashar Assad's regime to try to end the country's nearly three-year civil war.

"I believe that it will take place but... it is very difficult to imagine a quick positive outcome," Fabius told France Inter radio.

"The Geneva conference -- and I must say it's no surprise -- is taking place under very difficult conditions," Fabius said.

There is still no certainty the U.N.-backed talks, which seek to put in place a transitional government, will go ahead.

The main opposition National Coalition has said it will attend but some key anti-regime figures have refused and others have said no final decision has been made.

The opposition is insisting Assad play no role in Syria's future -- a demand strongly rejected by the regime.