But Russia and the United States have now agreed on the need for an international peace conference by the end of the month.

BBC: News - Philippines eyes Golan peacekeeper pull-out after abductions

Perhaps most worrisome of all, however, is President Bush's sympathetic reaction, in principle, to Moscow's proposal (again echoing an early initiative by Baghdad) for an international peace conference on the Middle East.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Administration officials have stated that their next move will be to set a date for a new international Middle East peace conference that Obama will chair.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Netanyahu's perilous statecraft

Mr Brahimi has been trying to find a solution to the crisis based on a peace plan approved at an international conference in June 2012.

BBC: Syria crisis: Brahimi warns horror is 'unprecedented'

Mr Brahimi is trying to seek a way out of the crisis on the basis of a peace plan approved at an international conference in June, but which left President Assad's role unclear.

BBC: Syria faces 'hell' if no deal to end crisis - UN envoy

Now the government says it is basically a political conference to demonstrate international solidarity with the peace process.

BBC: G L Peiris, left, and Anton Balasingham

Boosted his international profile by heading the Non-Aligned Movement, chairing a conference on Cambodian peace and hosting an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

CNN: Suharto