MOSCOW (AFP) - Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem will lead the government delegation at proposed peace talks in Geneva, Russia's top diplomat said on Thursday, amid efforts to agree the format and timing of the conference.

"We are continuing to work with the (Syrian) government, which has already announced its readiness to take part in the conference and that the Foreign Minister will lead its delegation," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in comments broadcast on state television.