Brahimi in Cairo to push for Syria peace talks

UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi arrived in Cairo Saturday, airport officials said, to begin a regional tour aimed at paving the way for peace talks on the war-ravaged country.

During his visit, Brahimi will meet Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy  and Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi.

Brahimi’s visit aims to garner regional support for an international peace  conference on Syria that world powers hope to convene in Geneva next month.

The renewed push for peace talks comes after a September deal under which  Syria agreed to turn over its chemical arsenal for destruction.

But the prospects of holding the conference are still unclear given the  divided Syrian opposition which is due to vote next week on whether to take  part.

The opposition insists that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad cannot remain  in power, while Assad’s government says his departure from office cannot be on  the table.

After the Egypt leg of his tour, Brahimi is expected to fly to Syria itself  and Iran, a steadfast ally of Assad’s regime.  — AFP