Syrian peace talks in Geneva are deadlocked over the explosive issue of transferring power from President Bashar al-Assad's regime, delegates from the warring sides say.
But both parties said they were not planning to walk away from the talks, even though a session on Monday had broken up with no progress after the regime set out a statement of principles.
The opposition rejected the regime's statement, saying talks needed to focus on a political transition, and UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi ended the session.
"The discussions were not constructive today because of the regime's strategy to deflect... (and) change the subject by talking of terrorism," Rima Fleihan, a member of the opposition National Coalition's delegation, told reporters.
Regime delegation member Buthaina Shaaban said the opposition had rejected discussion of anything other than the creation of a transitional government.
She said the government had presented a statement of "political principles which we thought no two Syrian persons should disagree with" - including protecting the country's sovereignty, preserving state institutions and stopping the threat from "terrorist" groups.
Asked if they were planning to leave the talks, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Muqdad said: "Never! We shall not leave the table."
Fleihan also said there were no plans for the opposition to leave.
Monday marked the third day of UN-sponsored talks between the two sides in Geneva and the first dealing with political issues.
The two sides have been brought together in the biggest diplomatic push yet to end a civil war that has left more than 130,000 dead and forced millions from their homes.
The opposition says Assad must leave power and a transitional government be formed based on an agreement reached during a first peace conference in Geneva in 2012.
The regime says Assad's role is not up for debate at this conference - dubbed Geneva II - and denies that the initial Geneva deal requires him to go.
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