UN envoy arrives in Syria to promote truce amid violence

Syria
United Nations envoy Lakhdar Brahimi landed in Damascus for a series of meetings about a proposed temporary cease-fire, which will begin with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Saturday. He is promoting a plan to halt actions on both sides during the during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, one of the holiest periods of the Muslim calendar, which begins Oct. 26.

Both Iran and Turkey are supporting his calls for a truce. Brahimi’s arrival comes after two straight days of airstrikes on rebel forces, which may have resulted in as many as 40 deaths, a sign of the challenge to his efforts.

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