Brahimi in Damascus, calls for ceasefire

The international envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has called for a ceasefire to the Syrian conflict whilst visiting Damascus.

ABC News and CNN report that the UN, Arab League representative called for a truce between Assad and the rebel opposition forces. Brahimi hopes that a truce will lead to a tenable ceasefire. He, along with his supporters, contend that, "This step needs to be sustained. It could create the space to allow a peaceful political process that realizes the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for democracy, equality and justice." Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Germany have expressed support for Brahimi's idea. His call for such a ceasefire comes as some 80 people are killed in fighting across the country. 39 of whom lived in and around the capital Damascus. Brahimi is expected to meet Assad to discuss the implementation of that ceasefire. Previous attempts to implement an effective ceasefire and bring about a diplomatic end to the conflict by Brahimi's predecessor Kofi Annan all failed. So far some 30,000 people have been killed in the conflict since it began in March, 2011.