Offering the slenderest of hopes after 19 months of fighting, the Syrian foreign ministry confirmed it was studying a proposal by Lakhdar Brahimi, the new peace envoy to Syria, to implement a ceasefire over the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday.

Mr Brahimi, who replaced Kofi Annan after his resignation in August, has been touring the Middle East to win support for his plan, which he hopes can act as a springboard for negotiations between President Bashar al-Assad and the rebels fighting to depose him.

He has appealed for support from both Iran, Mr Assad’s only regional ally, and Saudi Arabia, which has openly provided assistance to the rebels.

“In order to succeed in any initiative, it takes two sides,” Jihad Maqdisi, a foreign ministry spokesman, said.