Brahimi was accompanied by Mokhtar Lamani, who will remain in Damascus to assume his new functions as head of office for the Joint Special Representative for Syria in Damascus, AFP news reported.
According to SANA news, upon his arrival to Damascus airport Brahimi said he came to Syria to hold meetings with "Syrian brothers," because there was "a big crisis, which is getting worse."
"I think everybody agrees the need to stop the bloodshed and to restore harmony, and we hope that we will succeed."
Faisal Muqdad, Syria's deputy foreign minister, said: "We trust that Brahimi has a general understanding of the developments and of the way to solve problems despite the complexities. We are optimistic and we wish Brahimi success."
The international envoy's spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said in a statement that during Brahimi's three-day visit to Syria he will hold talks with the government and with representatives of the Syrian opposition and civil society. He will also meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Meanwhile, an official Syrian source said Brahimi met with Syrian foreign minister Walid Muallem; the official did not explain any result for this meeting. In this meeting Brahimi was expected to address certain demands from Syrian regime, in order to help the success of his mission, which was described as a very difficult one.
On the other hand, in an audio recording on Thursday, al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri called on all Muslims to support the rebels to oust Assad, explaining that the fall of the Syrian leader would realize the ultimate goal, which is Israel's defeat.
"Supporting the jihad in Syria to establish a Muslim state is an essential step on the road to Jerusalem." He added that America fears that a new regime in Syria could threaten Israel.
He also criticized the new Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi, of respecting the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt signed in 1979.
"I call the honorable members of the Egyptian army, and they are very numerous, not to become border guards of Israel," Zawahri said.
On the ground, seven members of the regime forces and four civilians have been killed in a car-bomb attack that hit an army checkpoint in province of Idlib.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that several Free Syrian Army-held districts of Aleppo were bombarded, as at least 11 people died when a helicopter gunship targeted a crossroads in Tariq al-Bab.
Opinion:
I expect that Brahimi will not continue because the Syrian regime does not keep promises. As Kofi Annan quit, Brahimi will also do the same soon.
For the recorded statement of Zawahiri, it is unwelcome from the Syrian opposition because this will make the Free Syrian Army accused of being supported by al-Qaida. It will also prove claims of Assad’s regime that they are fighting terrorists from al-Qaida.
I expect that the Free Syrian Army will issue a statement denouncing the declarations of Zawahiri.
The situation on the ground is still very bad, and the Syrian regime has increased its crimes, taking advantage the world being busy with the ongoing demonstrations against America.
