The Syrian government and opposition meet for the first time head to head in Switzerland, venting mutual hostility over a nearly three year civil war.

But the United Nations, which mediated the event, said the warring sides may be ready to discuss prisoner swaps, local ceasefires and humanitarian aid.

The U.S. is holding a firm line. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry:

(SOUNDBITE) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYING:

"The resolution to this crisis cannot be about one man's insistence -- or one families' insistence about clinging to power. This needs to be about empowering all of the Syrian people."

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moualem spoke of the dialogue.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, WALID AL-MOUALEM SAYING:

"We hope that the Geneva conference will be a first step on the road to establishing a dialogue between Syrians on Syrian ground. I thanks those who stood by us, friendly countries, over the last three years unt