U.N. says Homs attack was attempt to derail Syria peace talks

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura (R) attends a meeting of Intra-Syria peace talks with Syrian government delegation at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, February 25, 2017. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy

GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura considers that a "horrific terrorist attack" in the Syrian city of Homs on Saturday was an attempt to derail the Syria peace talks taking place in Geneva, his office said in an emailed statement.

"Spoilers were always expected, and should continue to be expected, to try to influence the proceedings of the talks. It is in the interest of all parties who are against terrorism and are committed to a political process in Syria not to allow these attempts to succeed," the statement said.