The UN mediator for Syria Staffan de Mistura arrived Friday in Damascus for talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem, according to AFP.

The UN mediator for Syria Staffan de Mistura arrived Friday in Damascus for talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem, according to AFP.

De Mistura was greeted at the hotel by Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Soussane.

The UN mediator is scheduled to meet Saturday Moallem to discuss preparations for negotiations scheduled this month between the Syrian government and the opposition, according to a UN source in Damascus.