Peace envoy Brahimi arrives in Syria: spokesman

DAMASCUS (AFP) - International peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi arrived in Syria on Thursday on his first visit to the strife-torn country since his appointment two weeks ago, his spokesman said.

"During his visit to Syria, Mr Brahimi will hold talks with the government and with representatives of the Syrian opposition and civil society," said a statement from Ahmad Fawzi, who had previously announced that the veteran diplomat would meet President Bashar al-Assad.

Mr Brahimi was to start his three-day visit by meeting Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Thursday at 6.30 pm (11.30pm Singapore time), a Syrian foreign ministry official said.

He is also set on Friday to meet members of the Syria-based opposition, which is tolerated by the regime, an official source said.