Syrian opposition calls for 'substantial progress' UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said Wednesday he did not expect a week of peace talks in Geneva between Syria's warring sides to produce "anything substantive". An opposition for the Syrian opposition said on Wednesday that while they were 'committed to the process', they would not enter open-ended negotiations with the Syrian regime wihtout 'substantial progress.' Images and soundbites of Louai Safi, spokesman for the Syrian National Coalition.