U.N. peace envoy Kofi Annan speaks to the media after a meeting with Syrian National Council members in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Annan expressed deep concern Monday over the violence in Syria and urged the world to send a clear message to Damascus that the killings of civilians must stop immediately. Annan left Syria on Sunday without a deal to end the bloody year-old conflict there as President Bashar Assad's forces mounted a new assault on rebel strongholds in the north.(AP Photo)
U.N. peace envoy Kofi Annan speaks to the media after a meeting with Syrian National Council members in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Annan expressed deep concern Monday over the violence in Syria and urged the world to send a clear message to Damascus that the killings of civilians must stop immediately. Annan left Syria on Sunday without a deal to end the bloody year-old conflict there as President Bashar Assad's forces mounted a new assault on rebel strongholds in the north.(AP Photo)
Burhan Ghalioun, leader of the opposition Syrian National Council, center, listen to other members of his group as he speaks to the media after a meeting with U.N. peace envoy Kofi Annan in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Annan expressed deep concern Monday over the violence in Syria and urged the world to send a clear message to Damascus that the killings of civilians must stop immediately. Annan left Syria on Sunday without a deal to end the bloody year-old conflict there as President Bashar Assad's forces mounted a new assault on rebel strongholds in the north.(AP Photo)
U.N. peace envoy Kofi Annan, left, shakes hands with Syrian National Council leader Burhan Ghalioun, right, at the beginning of a meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Annan expressed deep concern Monday over the violence in Syria and urged the world to send a clear message to Damascus that the killings of civilians must stop immediately. Annan left Syria on Sunday without a deal to end the bloody year-old conflict there as President Bashar Assad's forces mounted a new assault on rebel strongholds in the north. (AP Photo/Selcan Hacaoglu)
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) ? Syrian officials responded Tuesday to a number of concrete proposals by international envoy Kofi Annan on how to end the violence in their country, a U.N. diplomat said.
Annan, who visited Syria over the weekend and was in Turkey earlier Tuesday, told reporters in Ankara that he was expecting a reply from Damascus during the day. "Once we have received their answer, we will know how to react," Annan said.
The U.N. diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because no public announcement has been made, said, "He did get a reply, and it's under consideration."
The diplomat did not specify what the reply entailed, but Annan, the joint U.N.-Arab League envoy, has reportedly asked Damascus for some clarifications.
The U.N. estimates the Syrian government's violent crackdown on dissent has killed more than 7,500 people so far. The killings add to the pressure on U.N. Security Council members who are meeting to decide what to do next to stop the violence. The international community's current effort ? a peacemaking mission by Annan ? is faltering, with both the Syrian government and the opposition refusing to talk to one another.
The embattled central Syrian city of Homs is of particular concern. Syrian activists said Monday pro-government gunmen have killed at least 16 people ? including children ? in a rebel stronghold.
Annan expressed hope that a solution can be found to the crisis in remarks after meeting Tuesday with Burhan Ghalioun, the head of the main Syrian opposition group, the Syrian National Council.
"The whole world is coming together in working with us in resolving the situation and with goodwill and determination, I am hopeful, we will make progress," Annan said.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended full support to efforts by Annan. He said the next meeting of the so-called Friends of Syria group will take place in Istanbul on April 2. Turkey has expressed hope that Russia and China, who shunned the previous conference in Tunisia, would join.
Annan again urged Syria to stop its military crackdown.
"The killings and violence must cease," Annan said. "The Syrian people have gone through a lot and they deserve better."
Ghalioun said there was a "race against time" for a political and diplomatic solution.
"Some countries have promised arms for the Syrian opposition. We are racing against time, the main aim is for a political and diplomatic solution," said Ghalioun. "But if this does not come about, then these countries will keep to their promise and give that aid to the opposition."
Ghalioun said the Council "would arm the opposition, if Syria maintains this attitude. That would both affect Syria and the region."
Ghalioun also called for "serious sanctions" against Syria if the regime does not stop its crackdown.
____
Associated Press Writer Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report from the United Nations
Associated Presspatrick witt nflx leprosy tampa bay buccaneers birdman whip it gabby giffords
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.