The Assad regime is willing to sign up to a four-day truce at the end of this month if Arab states can convince rebel forces to stop fighting, officials in Damascus said, in the first sign of a breakthrough in months…

Mr Brahimi, who replaced Kofi Annan after his resignation in August, has been touring the Middle East to win support for his plan, which he hopes can act as a springboard for negotiations between President Bashar al-Assad and the rebels fighting to depose him…

It is unclear who would police a ceasefire if one took hold. Mr Brahimi has denied reports that he is seeking a 3,000-strong peacekeeping force from the United Nations.