UN General Assembly chief 'optimistic' about Syria talks
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The president of the U.N. General Assembly says he's "cautiously optimistic" about current attempts to broker a Syria peace deal because all powers with a stake in the conflict share the goal of defeating Islamic State extremists.
Mogens Lykketoft told The Associated Press Wednesday that he believes world and regional powers have a "narrow, but a very important common interest" in containing IS.
The talks are due to start next week, but could face delays because of disagreement over participants.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Lykketoft also says that he hopes the United Nations will for the first time elect a woman as its chief this year. Lykketoft is lobbying for more transparent selection of candidates for secretary general.
Lykketoft says a woman as the world's top diplomat "would be a brilliant idea."