UN envoy Mistura sees increasing potential for Syria solution

The possibility for a solution to the Syrian war has increased, UN broker Staffan de Mistura said, pointing to the US-Russian truce deal and the international focus on defeating Deash terrorists in the country.

"I think that we are witnessing a phase of simplifying the most complex conflict of our time," the UN Syria envoy told reporters after he started new talks involving the Syrian government and opposition.

No one should expect a breakthrough during this week's round, but there would hopefully be incremental progress so that this Geneva process could get into full swing once the international conditions are right, he said.

"There is a higher potential that we have seen in the past for progress," de Mistura said, referring to the situation on the ground in Syria as well as geopolitical developments.