BEIRUT (AP) - The international envoy to the Syria conflict has pressed his call for a cease-fire with Syrian officials in Damascus.
Lakhdar Brahimi, who represents the U.N. and the Arab League, has called for a truce between rebels and government forces during a Muslim holiday that begins next week.
He hopes that four days of quiet for Eid al-Adha will pave the way for a longer-term cease-fire.
Brahimi met Syria's foreign minister on Saturday and was expected to meet President Bashar Assad on Sunday.
A Syrian foreign ministry statement did not mention the proposed truce but said the two men discussed "objective and rational circumstances to stop by violence any side."
Brahimi made no public comment.
Anti-regime activists say more than 33,000 people have been killed in 19 months of violence.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Designed by Gray Digital Media