Some Syrian opposition parties have called for a ceasefire in Syria during the coming Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha to alleviate some of the suffering of the Syrian people, media reported Thursday.
In a statement, the Syria-based National Coordination Body (NCB) called for a "humanitarian" ceasefire during the week-long holiday of Eid al-Adha, or the feast of sacrifice, Xinhua reported citing the pro-government al-Watan daily.
The NCB's call came in tandem with a popular initiative launched recently by a number of political and religious figures "for the safety of our people".
The NCB urged all political movements and military forces to support the ceasefire initiative to "alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and to give them some hope".
Muaz al-Khatib, the former head of the exiled Syrian National Coalition for opposition forces, said in a statement that the success of the ceasefire during the feast would have a great impact on any future steps aimed at curbing the bloodshed in Syria.
Eid al-Adha, long a source of delight for Muslims, has lost its lustre in Syria because of the more than three-year-old conflict. Most Syrians choose to confine themselves to their homes during the holiday.