Optimism over deal in Syria
Source: Agencies |
March 12, 2012, Monday
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UN-ARAB League envoy Kofi Annan said yesterday it would be hard to reach a deal to halt bloodshed in Syria, but expressed optimism after meeting President Bashar al-Assad for a second day.
"It's going to be difficult but we have to have hope," he said in Damascus.
"I am optimistic for several reasons," Annan said, citing a general desire for peace in Syria. "The situation is so bad and so dangerous that all of us cannot afford to fail."
The former United Nations chief said: "I have urged the president to heed the African proverb which says: 'You cannot turn the wind, so turn the sail'."
Annan, speaking before departing for Qatar, said he had left "concrete proposals" with Assad for a way out of a conflict that has cost thousands of lives.
"You have to start by stopping the killings and the misery and the abuses that are going on today, and then give time (for a) political settlement," he said.
There was no immediate word from Syrian officials on the talks outcome but Assad told Annan on Saturday that "terrorists" spreading chaos and instability were blocking any political solution, the state news agency SANA said.
But it said Assad had also told Annan he would help in "any honest effort to find a solution."
Syrians against Assad say there can be no dialogue with a leader who has inflicted violence and suffering on his own people.
"It's going to be difficult but we have to have hope," he said in Damascus.
"I am optimistic for several reasons," Annan said, citing a general desire for peace in Syria. "The situation is so bad and so dangerous that all of us cannot afford to fail."
The former United Nations chief said: "I have urged the president to heed the African proverb which says: 'You cannot turn the wind, so turn the sail'."
Annan, speaking before departing for Qatar, said he had left "concrete proposals" with Assad for a way out of a conflict that has cost thousands of lives.
"You have to start by stopping the killings and the misery and the abuses that are going on today, and then give time (for a) political settlement," he said.
There was no immediate word from Syrian officials on the talks outcome but Assad told Annan on Saturday that "terrorists" spreading chaos and instability were blocking any political solution, the state news agency SANA said.
But it said Assad had also told Annan he would help in "any honest effort to find a solution."
Syrians against Assad say there can be no dialogue with a leader who has inflicted violence and suffering on his own people.
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