Mediator aims to convene peace talks on Jan. 25

Gbenga Bada 16:37 - 26 December 2015

United Nations special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura talks during a joint news conference with Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni in Rome, Italy December 7, 2015.

It was issued a day after Zahran Alloush, a top Syrian rebel leader, was killed in an air strike on the edge of Damascus.

The United Nations Syria mediator, Staffan de Mistura, aims to convene Syrian peace talks on Jan. 25 in Geneva, his spokesman said in a statement on Saturday.

"He counts on full cooperation of all the relevant Syrian parties in this process. Continuing developments on the ground should not be allowed to derail it," the statement said.

It was issued a day after Zahran Alloush, a top Syrian rebel leader, was killed in an air strike on the edge of Damascus.