The Latest: New UN envoy says Syria meetings 'constructive'

BEIRUT (AP) — The Latest on developments in Syria (all times local):6:05 p.m.

The new U.N. special envoy for Syria says he has had "constructive" meetings with Syrian officials during his trip to the Arab country.

Geir Pedersen, the veteran Norwegian diplomat, spoke Wednesday, a day after he began his first visit to Syria since taking his new post earlier this month.

Pedersen took over from Staffan de Mistura, who stepped down for family reasons after four years and four months of peace efforts that led nowhere.

He told reporters: "We had constructive meetings and we agreed that we would continue to have close contact in the future. Absolutely.