The UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi (C) is welcomed by Syrian deputy foreign minister Faisal Moqdad (L) upon his arrival at the Sheraton hotel on October 28, 2013 in Damascus as part of a tour aimed at garnering support for proposed peace talks. Brahimi’s visit comes after 19 powerful rebel groups warned that anyone who negotiates with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime will be tried for treason. AFP PHOTO LOUAI BESHARA