UN envoy visits Damascus for talks on how to resolve long-running Syrian civil war
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014 file photo, Hadi Bahra, a senior member of the Syrian National Coalition, the country's main political opposition group in exile, speaks during a press conference following his meeting with the Arab League's Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby at the league's headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. Syria’s two main political opposition groups, the Syrian National Coalition and the National Coordination Body for the Forces of Democratic Change, said on Thursday, July 23, 2015 that they have agreed on a unified roadmap for a political solution to the country’s long-running civil war. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File) (The Associated Press)
The U.N. envoy for Syria is in Damascus to press efforts to find a political solution to the country's long-running conflict.
Staffan de Mistura, who arrived Thursday in the Syrian capital, has been meeting with Syrian politicians and regional stakeholders.
His office says he is working to finalize his proposals to the U.N. chief, Ban Ki-moon, on a way forward to support Syrian parties in their search of a political solution.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}De Mistura also held talks with Syria's foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, who said his country supports a regional effort to eliminate "terrorism."
Al-Moallem said Syria considers eradicating terrorism a "fundamental priority." The Syrian government considers all armed groups fighting to topple President Bashar Assad as terrorist groups.