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The first full day of peace talks between the Syrian government and rebels is due to begin in Geneva, the BBC reported.

On Thursday UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi shuttled between the two sides to assess their willingness to meet together.

The opening day of the conference was hosted in the Swiss city of Montreux and saw bitter exchanges between the rival delegations.

The three-year conflict has claimed well over 100,000 lives, the UN says.

The violence has also driven 9.5 million people from their homes, creating a major humanitarian crisis within Syria and for its neighbours.

On Thursday Mr Brahimi held behind-the-scenes negotiations between representatives of President Bashar al-Assad government and of the National Coalition.

The talks are unprecedented seeing as the two sides have never before agreed to hold formal discussions, the BBC's Bridget Kendall reports from Geneva.

Western diplomats say Mr Brahimi's main concern for Friday may be to ensure that neither delegation stage a walkout, she reports.

One small encouraging sign for Friday's talks is that both sides will be in the same room for the opening session on Friday, she adds.

However, they are not expected to talk to each other - after being addressed jointly by Mr Brahimi, they will consult in separate rooms to work out initial positions.

A schedule for the duration of the rest of the talks is due to be set on Friday, but even setting the agenda may be problematic.

The government is expected to insist on the importance of fighting "terrorism", while the opposition will want to removal of Mr Assad high on the agenda.