SAUDI ARABIA: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that international mediator Kofi Annan's peace plan remains central to resolving the Syrian conflict

Record ID: 188984

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that international mediator Kofi Annan's peace plan remains central to resolving the Syrian conflict
  • Date: 5th June 2012
  • Summary: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (JUNE 4, 2012) (REUTERS) WIDE OF U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON MEETING MEMBERS OF ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK SOUNDBITE (English) U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL, BAN KI-MOON, SAYING: "Annan's plan remains central to the resolution of the Syrian crisis. We are deeply troubled by what has been going on. We may have to expect the turns and twists on this issue and we have to be prepared for this kind of eventuality and therefore we are now discussing, together with Kofi Annan and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, for any such eventuality." U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI MOON SPEAKING TO ATTENDEES SOUNDBITE (English) U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL, BAN KI-MOON, SAYING: "I have already said I would welcome a broader international discussion for the future course of action. Kofi Annan is coming to the U.N. and will brief the General Assembly and Security Council and I expect also ..... I hope that this will provide us and member states, particularly the Security Council, a good opportunity to discuss the practical way of how to address this Syrian situation. I am very much committed to work together with the League of Arab States and the joint special envoy Kofi Annan and with the key members of the U.N. to find a solution so that political dialogue can begin for a political resolution of this issue." ATTENDANCE. SOUNDBITE (English) U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL, BAN KI-MOON, SAYING: "As far as I am concerned, and as far as the U.N. is concerned, we are not discussing anything about military issues. I have taken note of some suggestions by certain countries, but at this time we have 300 monitors trying to realize the Annan plans. That means the immediate cessation of violence and also start political dialogue provided under the six points (plan) which needs to be met as soon as possible. The Syrian people have suffered for too long and too many Syrian people have been killed. This is totally unacceptable, an intolerable situation. In the name of humanity, I urge the Syrian authorities to stop violence immediately and engage in inclusive political dialogue." REPORTERS. U.N SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI MOON LEAVING THE CONFERENCE HALL.
  • Embargoed: 20th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVA8LH6FW1TFK0LFCNG7OPX8UP6K
  • Story Text: Ban Ki-moon said on Monday (June 4) that international envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan remained central to resolving the Syrian conflict The U.N. Secretary-General urged President Bashar al-Assad's government to stop the violence immediately "in the name of humanity" and to start a political dialogue with his foes.
    "Annan's plan remains central to the resolution of the Syrian crisis. We are deeply troubled by what has been going on. We may have to expect the turns and twists on this issue and we have to be prepared for this kind of eventuality and therefore we are now discussing together with Kofi Annan and the Secretary General of the League of Arab States for any such eventuality," he said.
    Syrian rebels killed at least 80 army soldiers in a surge of attacks at the weekend, an opposition watchdog said on Monday, carrying out their threat to resume fighting if President Bashar al-Assad failed to observe a U.N.-backed ceasefire.
    Ban Ki-moon, speaking in Jeddah at the U.N. Center for Counter-Terrorism, reiterated his concerns and said the violence must end immediately.
    "As far as I am concerned and as far as the U.N. is concerned, we are not discussing anything about military issues. I have taken note of some suggestions by certain countries but at this time we have 300 monitors trying to realize the Annan plans. That means the immediate cessation of violence and also start political dialogue provided under the six points (plan) which needs to be met as soon as possible. The Syrian people have suffered for too long and too many Syrian people have been killed. This is totally unacceptable, an intolerable situation. In the name of humanity, I urge the Syrian authorities to stop violence immediately and engage in inclusive political dialogue," he told Reuters.
    The May 25 massacre of at least 108 people, nearly half of them children, in the Houla area of Homs province may have dealt a fatal blow to the ceasefire.
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