The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has voiced his hope to bring representatives of the Syrian government and opposition together to launch the intra-Syria peace talks in Geneva on January 25th.
De Mistura issued a statement, saying he has "intensified efforts" towards the talks to seek a political solution. The envoy also says he relies on continued crucial support of world and regional powers, such as Britain, France, the US, Russia, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on Syria earlier this month endorsed an international roadmap for a Syrian-led political transition. It calls for peace talks to begin in early January.