The United Nations-Arab League peace envoy is scheduled to hold talks in Moscow to find a way to end the 21-month Syrian conflict.

Lakhdar Brahimi is set to talk Saturday with Russian officials about his recent round of discussions with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian rebels.

Brahimi this week called for an interim government in Syria until new elections can be held.

On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Syria's deputy foreign minister to engage in talks with the opposition in an attempt to end the conflict.

But an opposition leader responded by slamming Russia, since activists have shown no interest in talks with the Syrian government.

Lavrov has consistently maintained that dialogue is necessary for progress and peace in Syria.