UN Syria envoy 'optimistic and determined' after meeting opposition

The UN Syria envoy said Sunday he was "optimistic and determined" following an informal meeting with the main opposition group, after it had threatened to leave before planned peace talks begin in earnest. "I am optimistic and determined because it's an historic occasion not to be missed," UN envoy Staffan de Mistura told reporters as he left a Geneva hotel after an informal meeting with delegates from the High Negotiations Committee. The meeting took place outside the UN's European headquarters