SWITZERLAND: International mediator Kofi Annan says the world cannot allow Syria to descend into full-scale civil war and that the day may come to take a 'different tack' than his peace plan

Record ID: 280787

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: International mediator Kofi Annan says the world cannot allow Syria to descend into full-scale civil war and that the day may come to take a 'different tack' than his peace plan
  • Date: 9th May 2012
  • Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (MAY 8, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS BUILDING IN GENEVA JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) KOFI ANNAN, U.N.-ARAB LEAGUE MEDIATOR, SAYING: "There has been some decrease in the military activities, but there are still serious violations in the cessation of violence that was agreed and the level of violence and abuses are unacceptable.
  • Embargoed: 24th May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Switzerland
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAAMLQ67Z55YVDUOOQFSNLYQQ7C
  • Story Text: U.N.-Arab League mediator Kofi Annan said on Tuesday (May 8) that the world must help prevent the situation in Syria from turning into a full-scale civil war.
    "I am sure, I am not telling you any secret when I tell you that there is a profound concern that the country could otherwise descend into full civil war, and the implications of that are quite frightening. We cannot allow that to happen," he said.
    Annan was speaking to reporters in Geneva after briefing the United Nations Security Council by videolink.
    He also said that the level of violence in Syria remained unacceptable.
    "There have been worrying episodes of violence by the government, but we have also seen attacks against government forces, troops and installations, and there has been a spate of bombings which are really worrying, and I am sure creates incredible insecurity among the civilian population."
    When asked 'what next' if his peace plan didn't work, Annan said he was waiting for 'suggestions'.
    "We may well conclude, down the line, that it doesn't work, and different tack has to be taken, and that will be a very sad day and a tough day for the region."
    A U.N.-backed ceasefire was announced for April 12 as part of Annan's six-point peace plan, along with the deployment of an unarmed U.N. observer force of up to 300 monitors. While there was an initial reduction in violence and U.N. observers have been gradually deploying, a full ceasefire has yet to take hold.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register