(VOVworld) - UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura arrived in Damascus on Saturday for talks with the Syrian officials about a deal to freeze fighting in the northwestern city of Aleppo. De Mistura's visit started as clashes between government forces and the opposition were mounting. Pro-regime fighters regained territory in southern Syria from forces opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. But Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and once a commercial hub, is now split between loyalist forces and rebels.

Aleppo city is destroyed by war. (Photo: AFP)

De Mistura expressed his hope to set in motion as soon as possible his project to halt fighting in Aleppo and then other major cities.

Last week, Bashar al-Assad’s government showed a willingness to suspend aerial bombardment of Aleppo for six weeks to allow a humanitarian ceasefire.

De Mistura has met with opposition chiefs in recent weeks to promote his plan for a temporary truce in Aleppo in order to move aid into northern cities.