New international envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, aiming to revive peace efforts, met President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Saturday, Sept 14, in an attempt to end 18 months of Syria's deadly conflict, state television reported, according to AFP.

Brahimi has also met Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and members of the officially tolerated opposition since he arrived in the Syrian capital on Thursday for a first visit since his appointment earlier this month.