The UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, hopes to convene talks between the Syrian government and the opposition on January 25 in Geneva, his office said Saturday.

The UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, hopes to convene talks between the Syrian government and the opposition on January 25 in Geneva, his office said Saturday.

De Mistura has "intensified efforts" towards convening the talks on the target date, and "counts on full cooperation of all the relevant Syrian parties in this process," the statement said, adding: "Continuing developments on the ground should not be allowed to derail it."