1st LD: UN envoy sees hope of political solution to Syrian crisis

There is "no illusion," but still "some hope" for a political solution to the ongoing crisis in Syria,Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy for Syria, said here Tuesday.

"The government of Syria has indicated to me its willingness to half all aerial bombing, all sorts and all types of aerial bombing and artillery shelling for a period of six weeks all over the city of Aleppo from the date which will be announced by Damascus," de Mistura told reporters after briefing the UN Security Council behind closed doors.

"I have requested the government of Syria to facilitate a UN mission to identify one district inside Aleppo in order to use it as an example of what could be the benefit for the population if there is a peace," he said.

It was de Mistura's first council briefing since he explained his "freeze battle" plan in October, and council members wanted to know what kind of support, if any, it has received from Syrian President Bashar Assad. De Mistura met with Assad earlier this month.

In October 2014, de Mistura put forward an "action plan" for Syria proposing to "freeze" fighting in local areas to allow for aid deliveries and to pave the way for peace talks. Endi