From BBC News, where you can read more on the story:
Syria’s deputy prime minister says the civil war has reached stalemate with neither side strong enough to win.
Qadri Jamil told the UK’s Guardian newspaper that at proposed peace talks in Geneva, Damascus would call for a ceasefire with the armed opposition.
The BBC’s Jim Muir in Beirut says Mr Jamil seems to be reflecting a drive by Russia to prepare for peace talks.
Meanwhile, the US has called on the UN Security Council to act over Syria’s chemical weapons.
Secretary of State John Kerry called on the council to pass a “binding resolution” when it meets next week.