As peace envoy to war-worn Syria Lakhdar Brahimi arrives in Damascus to try and persuade the warring factions to implement a temporary ceasefire over the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.<br/> <br />The festivities start in a week and Brahimi has been criss-crossing the region trying to convince those backing President Bashar al-Assad and those against him to support a truce.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR TO SYRIA, LAKHDAR BRAHIMI, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We will talk about the ceasefire and the Syrian issue in general. It is important to decrease the violence - we will talk with the government and political parties and civil society about the Syrian issue."<br/> <br />The U.N.-Arab League envoy is scheduled to meet the Syrian Foreign Minister on Saturday. It is unclear whether he will meet Assad himself.<br/> <br />If implemented next week's truce would be self-imposed, with no international observers.
