The UN’s peace envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura is making a surprise visit to Damascus on Monday, a government source told AFP, as world powers push for a ceasefire this week.

The UN's peace envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura is making a surprise visit to Damascus on Monday, a government source told AFP, as world powers push for a ceasefire this week.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said De Mistura was expected to arrive in Syria later Monday and meet Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem on Tuesday.