UN envoy to Syria Kofi Annan warned Wednesday that it would be "disastrous if rebels fighting the Syrian regime were to be armed," as proposed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
From the Iranian capital Tehran warned that "any further militarization of the conflict in Syria would be disastrous and have unimaginable consequences."The envoy said he believed his plan could still be salvaged and be fully implemented by a deadline at 6:00 am Damascus time (0300 GMT) on Thursday if both the Syrian regime and rebels respected its terms.
During a press conference with Iranian foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, Annan reiterated that the Syrian government have assured him it will respect the ceasefire.
"I have received government assurances they will respect the ceasefire. If everyone respects it I think by six in the morning on Thursday we shall see improved conditions on the ground," he added pointing out that "What they [Syrian regime] mean and want is an assurance that the other forces, the opposition forces, would also stop the fighting so that we could see cessation of all the violence."
Annan urged "the peaceful settlement of the Syrian issue," describing his meeting with Salehi as "positive."
For his part, the head of Iranian diplomacy emphasized that "the opportunity must be given to
the Syrian government to make changes under the leadership of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad."
"The people of Syria should be able to enjoy rights such as freedom of political parties and freedom of elections, but at the same time we have announced that we oppose interference in the affairs of all nations including Syria," he said.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org
Annan warns Gulf on arming Syrian rebels
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United Nations and Arab League envoy for the crisis in Syria, Kofi Annan speaks during a joint press conference with Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Akbar Salehi in Tehran on 11 April 2012. (Photo: AFP - Atta Kenare) |
UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan warned Gulf Arab states on Wednesday that arming Syrian rebels would be "disastrous" and undermine peace efforts as an extended deadline for a ceasefire approaches.
Speaking at a news conference in Tehran – the capital of Syria's principal ally Iran – Annan said that if both sides in the Syrian conflict respected his plan, "I think by six o'clock on Thursday the 12th...we should see a much improved situation on the ground."
He said that a proposal by Saudi Arabia and Qatar to give weapons to outgunned Syrian rebels would worsen matters.
"I've always said the militarization of the conflict will be disastrous," he said.
He stressed that a new conflict could not be tolerated in the Middle East.
Annan's visit to Iran was seen as an appeal to the Islamic republic's influence over Syria as the clock ticked down to the deadline of 6:00am Damascus time on Thursday, by which time all combat is meant to cease.
Prospects of Annan's plan succeeding, though, were dealt a blow on Tuesday when the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad failed to fulfill a commitment to withdraw forces from populated areas.
Annan accused Damascus of moving its troops from some areas and moving them elsewhere during a visit he made on Tuesday to Turkey, an erstwhile Syrian ally now seeking Assad's resignation.
But on Wednesday, Annan said he had received assurances from Damascus that they would adhere to the Thursday deadline.
"I have received government assurances they will respect the ceasefire."
In a televised news conference, Annan said it was important that regional governments work with Syria to resolve the crisis, adding that Iran could be part of the solution.
Tehran has voiced its support for Annan's six-point plan as long as it does not call for the removal of Assad.
Speaking alongside Annan, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said: "The opportunity must be given to the Syrian government to make changes under the leadership of Bashar Assad."
The people of Syria should be able to enjoy rights such as freedom of political parties and freedom of elections, but "at the same time we have announced that we oppose interference in the affairs of all nations including Syria," he said.
Annan said Assad's government had given "further clarifications" over how it views its obligations under the peace plan.
"What they mean and want is an assurance that the other forces, the opposition forces, will also stop the fighting so that we could see cessation of all the violence," he said.
Annan said his team has "had positive answers from them" and that "governments with influence" had also been approached to ensure that all sides in the conflict respect the ceasefire.
Annan called his discussions with Salehi on Syria "constructive" and hailed Iran's endorsement of his six-point plan.
"What is important [is that] all governments in the region should work together. This is a region that has seen many conflicts and shocks," Annan said.
"It is extremely important to find an agreement and end the violence that is going in Syria right now."
China on Wednesday also urged all sides in Syria to respect the ceasefire, as reports of further violence raised fears the Thursday deadline will not be met.
"A political solution to the Syrian issue has reached a critical stage, but violence within Syria continues and civilian casualties are rising. China expresses its deep worries," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters at a daily press briefing.
(Reuters, AFP, Al-Akhbar)
Speaking at a news conference in Tehran – the capital of Syria's principal ally Iran – Annan said that if both sides in the Syrian conflict respected his plan, "I think by six o'clock on Thursday the 12th...we should see a much improved situation on the ground."
He said that a proposal by Saudi Arabia and Qatar to give weapons to outgunned Syrian rebels would worsen matters.
"I've always said the militarization of the conflict will be disastrous," he said.
He stressed that a new conflict could not be tolerated in the Middle East.
Annan's visit to Iran was seen as an appeal to the Islamic republic's influence over Syria as the clock ticked down to the deadline of 6:00am Damascus time on Thursday, by which time all combat is meant to cease.
Prospects of Annan's plan succeeding, though, were dealt a blow on Tuesday when the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad failed to fulfill a commitment to withdraw forces from populated areas.
Annan accused Damascus of moving its troops from some areas and moving them elsewhere during a visit he made on Tuesday to Turkey, an erstwhile Syrian ally now seeking Assad's resignation.
But on Wednesday, Annan said he had received assurances from Damascus that they would adhere to the Thursday deadline.
"I have received government assurances they will respect the ceasefire."
In a televised news conference, Annan said it was important that regional governments work with Syria to resolve the crisis, adding that Iran could be part of the solution.
Tehran has voiced its support for Annan's six-point plan as long as it does not call for the removal of Assad.
Speaking alongside Annan, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said: "The opportunity must be given to the Syrian government to make changes under the leadership of Bashar Assad."
The people of Syria should be able to enjoy rights such as freedom of political parties and freedom of elections, but "at the same time we have announced that we oppose interference in the affairs of all nations including Syria," he said.
Annan said Assad's government had given "further clarifications" over how it views its obligations under the peace plan.
"What they mean and want is an assurance that the other forces, the opposition forces, will also stop the fighting so that we could see cessation of all the violence," he said.
Annan said his team has "had positive answers from them" and that "governments with influence" had also been approached to ensure that all sides in the conflict respect the ceasefire.
Annan called his discussions with Salehi on Syria "constructive" and hailed Iran's endorsement of his six-point plan.
"What is important [is that] all governments in the region should work together. This is a region that has seen many conflicts and shocks," Annan said.
"It is extremely important to find an agreement and end the violence that is going in Syria right now."
China on Wednesday also urged all sides in Syria to respect the ceasefire, as reports of further violence raised fears the Thursday deadline will not be met.
"A political solution to the Syrian issue has reached a critical stage, but violence within Syria continues and civilian casualties are rising. China expresses its deep worries," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters at a daily press briefing.
(Reuters, AFP, Al-Akhbar)
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