(VOVworld) - UN envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura was optimistic Sunday about indirect peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition, calling it "a historic occasion" to end Syria’s civil war. Mistura made the statement after meeting with the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) which represents the opposition forces in Syria, but said it remains unclear if the HNC will agree to an official meeting at the UN.

UN mediator for Syria Staffan de Mistura (Photo: Reuters)

Syrian Information Minister Omar al-Zoub said President Bashar al Assad will never accept two armed groups, Ahrar Al-Sham and the Army of Islam, participating in the UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva. Syria and Russia included these groups on their terrorist list and insist that the two groups, along with IS and the Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, be excluded from the talks.