TOPSHOTS Activists of "Codepink women for peace" hold a banner reading "Guys Put Down Your Guns !!" on January 24, 2014 at the entrance of the United Nations Office in Geneva. Syria's warring sides are due to hold their first talks aimed at stemming the country's bloodshed, in what are likely to be difficult negotiations with little hope of success.Syria's warring sides will not sit in the same room for the start of talks in Geneva Friday despite efforts by UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi to bring them together, officials said. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI