(CNN) -- Lakhdar Brahimi, the U.N. and Arab League point man shuttling from capital to capital to halt the war in Syria, is pinning his hopes on the formation of a transitional government in Damascus that would hold power until an election.  A June 30 communique issued in Switzerland by major world powers would provide a template for Syrian-led political change and an end to the carnage in an Arab land engulfed by daily fighting and marked by misery and chaos, Brahimi said.  "The situation in Syria now presents a grave danger; not just to the Syrian people, but also to the neighboring countries and the world," he told reporters Thursday in the Syrian capital. "Time is in no one's favor."  The so-called Geneva plan united countries that had been at odds on how to handle the Syrian crisis. Russia and China joined France, the United Kingdom, the United States and Turkey in agreeing on the plan. Arab League nations and Turkey also signed on to it.  "The Geneva conference held in June this year includes elements that are sufficient for a plan to end the crisis in the next few coming months," he said. "It was clear in Geneva and it is now clearer that the change required is not cosmetic. Syria and the Syrian people need, want and look forward to real change."  World powers have been seeking a solution to the 21 months of conflict in Syria. There's widespread support for President Bashar al-Assad leaving power in any change of government.  Brahimi foresees a transitional government with "full executive powers" that would govern during "the transitional period, which will end with elections."  "The transitional period should not be allowed to lead to the collapse of the state and its institutions. On the contrary, everyone should cooperate -- the Syrians and those who assist them -- to preserve these institutions and to rebuild and strengthen them," he said.  Brahimi said violence must stop and "strong observation" by a peacekeeping mission would be key.  "When we reach a stage of speaking about peacekeeping forces, it means that there is an agreement, and thankfully, the parties have agreed that they need these forces," he said.  "No one will bring forces into Syria from a country that is not approved by either of the Syrian parties."  A key unanswered question from Geneva is whether al-Assad could possibly be part of a transitional government.  According to the communique, the transitional government "could include members of the present Government and the opposition and other groups and shall be formed on the basis of mutual consent."  Over the last few weeks, Brahimi has held discussions with Syrian, Russian and U.S. officials, and is expected to visit Moscow on Saturday. Russia's role in forging peace is key because Moscow has confounded Western and Arab nations by blocking tough action in the U.N. Security Council against Syria.  Russia has had good relations with the Assad regime, but it has grown angry with the warfare and wants to resolve a conflict that has left well over 40,000 people dead.  "In our talks with Brahimi and with our American colleagues, we are trying to feel a way out of this situation on the basis of our common plan of action that was agreed on in Geneva in June," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said, according to Russia's state-run RIA Novosti.  "We plan to discuss a range of issues linked to a political and diplomatic settlement in Syria, including Brahimi's efforts aimed at halting the violence and the start of a comprehensive national dialogue."  Lukashevich isn't ruling out engaging with the Syrian National Coalition, the movement recognized by nations opposed to the Assad government.  "But when and at what level, that's an entirely different matter," he said, according to RIA Novosti.  Brahimi told reporters that the plight of displaced people reflects the misery across Syria. Since the civil war began last year, more than 540,000 refugees have spilled into nearby countries such as Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt.  "When we say there are [4] million internally displaced, what does it mean? It means that there are children and women who have nowhere to sleep, nothing to eat and are roaming the streets. We should thank their Syrian brethren who, in many cases, share their bread with them. These 4 million people are in need for bread and medicine," he said.  "You must have seen on TV boys breaking their desks in school to bring some wood for their families for heat. This is the meaning of what is happening in Syria."  With host countries strained and a brutal winter settling in on refugee camps, the crisis will only get worse. The U.N. humanitarian affairs office says the number of refugees is expected to double to 1.1 million next year. Syrians are "suffering unbearably," and the situation is "worsening," he said.  "These figures insufficiently express the suffering of the Syrian people and the injustice they suffer from. And, therefore, those who can have mercy on the Syrian people should do so. This is what we should not forget. We do not speak in a vacuum or about theoretical things; we are speaking about humans of flesh and blood, men, women, elderly, young children. This is the situation that we are speaking about," Brahimi said.  At least 80 people have been killed in Syrian violence Thursday, said the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, an opposition group.  CNN cannot independently verify opposition and government reports from Syria, as the government has severely restricted international journalists' access.
U.N. peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi says the Syria conflict could be over in a few months if all sides agree to a transitional government.