The Syrian government's foot- dragging over a truce proposed by international mediator Lakhdar Brahimi and its insistence on getting assurances beforehand have made any immediate, or even temporary cease-fire a far-fetched goal.

Brahimi, who is on a visit to Syria to push for a ceasefire during Muslims' four-day Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, told reporters after a meeting on Sunday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that he received promises, not commitment, from all opposition groups outside Syria to the idea. However, he did not confirm whether the Syrian government had shown any leniency towards this issue.

He said that "if each of the parties takes decision on its own, then there would be a collective decision on the non-use of arms during the Eid."

The Syrian leadership has shown a relatively vague attitude towards the truce, emphasizing that it welcomes any peaceful initiative to end the crisis in Syria, but simultaneously makes that conditional on receiving beforehand international assurances that the opposition groups, or what it calls as "armed terrorist groups," would initiate the truce, thus diminishing hopes of achieving a lull during the holiday.

State-run al-Baath newspaper said Monday in an editorial that the Syrians, despite their full welcome of any step that might stem bloodshed, still have the right to ask Brahimi: "What kind of international assurances does he get to implement the truce to keep the promise away from the promises that are not implemented?"

Meanwhile, the Syrian foreign ministry's spokesman, Jihad Makdessi, told a local TV channel that "those who want pacification should first slam the hell's gate from their borders, " an apparent reference to some regional countries Syria have long been accused of funding, arming and harboring armed groups.

"We do want calm because we want to improve climates leading to dialogues between all segments of the Syrian people," he said, stressing that on April 12 a ceasefire was enforced in Damascus, but "it was breached -- not by the government."

He said that whoever holds up arms would be faced with weapons.

Observers believe that the rebels' commitment to the truce is also doubtful, noting that they will not miss any chance to get closer to the capital, a step they have long seen as important to overthrow the current government.

Maher Mirhej, secretary-general of the Syrian National Youth Party, told Xinhua Monday after meeting with Brahimi that he sensed that the UN envoy was not optimistic about a possible cease- fire during the upcoming holiday.

"We haven't found him (Brahimi) optimistic about the ceasefire.. . He spoke with transparency that the (people) responsible for the ceasefire are those who carry weapons on the ground, whether from the regime or the armed men."

Mirhej contended that both parts of the conflict have given no responses regarding the cease-fire.

For his part, Saleem al-Kharat, secretary-general of the Syrian National Democratic Solidarity Party, told Xinhua Monday that Syria seems ready for pacification during the Eid holiday, but " the other parties are not."

Al-Kharat said foreign fighting elements on the ground in Syria have different agendas and are not interested in a truce.

Such elements have even hindered the decisions made by the Syrian opposition itself, he said, adding that the opposition should unite and embark on a national dialogue.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Bin Hilli, deputy secretary general of the Arab League, said Monday that there is "little hope" in implementing a truce on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, but noted that efforts are being exerted at all levels.

"Indications on the ground and the (Syrian) government's reaction, even in the media, and the whole atmosphere, do not refer to the existence of a genuine desire to respond to this initiative," he said.

Observers here also argued that the Syrian government will not, at least at the current stage, halt its military operations as it has repeatedly voiced determination to stem terrorism and eliminate "terrorist mercenaries" it accuses of carrying out a foreign conspiracy against Syria.

Syria still publishes daily reports about seizing weapons, foiling infiltration attempts by al-Qaida-affiliated fighters from neighboring countries, and dismantling roadside bombs and car bombs.

Observers indicated that there is a surge in the nationwide military operations against armed groups in recent days, as well as counterattacks by the rebels that have noticeably increased in the capital Damascus, which until recently has remained immune from such acts.

They said the Syrian government is unwilling to give the rebels a chance to catch their breath and reunite ranks, especially amid reports that the rebels are striving to tighten their grip on the capital.