Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad (R) and UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura (L), are seen upon their arrivals at al-Sheraton Hotel in Damascus, Syria on Feb. 9, 2015. UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura arrived in the capital Damascus on Monday for meeting with top Syrian officials on his proposal for freezing the battles in Syria's northern province of Aleppo. (Xinhua/ Bassem Tellawi)