SWITZERLAND: International mediator Kofi Annan says he is "optimistic" about the outcome of a high-level meeting to discuss the conflict in Syria

Record ID: 280968

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: International mediator Kofi Annan says he is "optimistic" about the outcome of a high-level meeting to discuss the conflict in Syria
  • Date: 30th June 2012
  • Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (JUNE 29, 2012) (REUTERS) INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR KOFI ANNAN ARRIVING AT U.N. HEADQUARTERS (SOUNDBITE) (French) INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR KOFI ANNAN, SAYING: "(Journalist asking whether the action group meeting on Syria on Saturday is still planned despite a Russian counter-proposal) We're going to have a good meeting tomorrow. (Journalist asking if he's
  • Embargoed: 15th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Reuters ID: LVADBM8TLRQNK2M1N37XUJN6NX13
  • Story Text: International mediator Kofi Annan said on Friday (June 29) he was "optimistic" about Syria crisis talks scheduled to take place in Geneva on Saturday (June 30).
    "We're going to have a good meeting tomorrow," he said as he arrived at U.N. headquarters in the Swiss city. He said he expected an "acceptable outcome" from the talks.
    The joint United Nations-Arab League envoy, whose peace plan for Syria has so far failed to halt the bloodshed, has been working with foreign governments and all sides in the war to try and resolve the conflict.
    Annan's efforts in recent weeks have focused on setting up an action group on Syria, which he now wants to convene on Saturday to find a common position on a resolution to the crisis.
    But on Thursday, Russia proposed changes to Annan's plan for a national unity government in Syria and said international talks should pursue a formula for a political transition but must not decide whether President Bashar al-Assad is to be barred.
    Syrian opposition groups said they would reject Annan's plan unless it explicitly required Assad to step down before a unity government is formed.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register