The UN is making contingency plans for a peacekeeping force in Syria in the event of a ceasefire there. The UN has called for a truce for the festival of Eid al-Adha, which begins on Friday.
The UN Security Council, which is deeply divided on Syria, would have to approve any peacekeeping force. Western and Arab countries have pushed for UN action on Syria, but their resolutions have been vetoed by Russia and China.
The head of UN peacekeeping, Herve Ladsous, said his department was considering options in the event of a ceasefire or political deal in Syria. "I would confirm that, of course, we are giving a lot of thought to what would happen if and when a political solution or at least a ceasefire would emerge," he told reporters at the UN.
However, the BBC's Barbara Plett at the UN says so far the prospects of achieving even a temporary truce for the forthcoming Muslim holiday appear slim.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20034422
It is hard to imagine a such a temporary cease-fire leading to peace negotiations, but at least the UN is not ignoring the possibility.