EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said she was optimistic about conditions in Syria, as they finally began to bring all the major regional and international active parties along the negotiating table for launching a political process.

Mogherini said the critical humanitarian crisis of refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Europe may be the motive for beginning this effort now.

Syria's civil war has killed more than 250,000 people and driven more than 10 million from their homes.

Sources: MENA