ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />An international peace conference aimed at ending Syria's civil war will be held on January 22, the first face-to-face talks between the government of President Bashar al-Assad and rebels seeking to overthrow him, the United Nations announced Monday.<br/> <br />The United Nations is hoping for a peaceful transition in Syria, building on an agreement between world powers reached in June last year. The deal calls for the warring sides to set up a transitional governing body with full executive powers, including over military and security entities, but leaves open the fate of Assad.<br/> <br />It was not clear from the statement made by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon whether Iran would be invited to the "Geneva 2" talks. He did not take questions.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) BAN KI-MOON, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS, saying,<br/> <br />"At long last and for the first time the Syrian government and opposition will meet at the negotiating table instea
