Supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shout slogans in Damascus, Syria, January 24, 2014. UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi will meet delegations from the Syrian government and the opposition separately on Friday, a UN spokeswoman has confirmed. The mediator might need a few weeks to prepare for direct talks between the conflicting sides in Geneva. (Xinhua/Zhang Naijie)

A supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad waves a national flag in Damascus, Syria, January 24, 2014. UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi will meet delegations from the Syrian government and the opposition separately on Friday, a UN spokeswoman has confirmed. The mediator might need a few weeks to prepare for direct talks between the conflicting sides in Geneva. (Xinhua/Zhang Naijie)

A supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shouts slogans in Damascus, Syria, January 24, 2014. UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi will meet delegations from the Syrian government and the opposition separately on Friday, a UN spokeswoman has confirmed. The mediator might need a few weeks to prepare for direct talks between the conflicting sides in Geneva. (Xinhua/Zhang Naijie)

Supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shout slogans in Damascus, Syria, January 24, 2014. UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi will meet delegations from the Syrian government and the opposition separately on Friday, a UN spokeswoman has confirmed. The mediator might need a few weeks to prepare for direct talks between the conflicting sides in Geneva. (Xinhua/Zhang Naijie)