The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

Kofi Annan receives Syrian assurance on ceasefire

Kofi Annan receives Syrian assurance on ceasefire
11 April 2012
Sophie Mihell-Hale
Avatar
Sophie Mihell-Hale
11 April 2012

Less than 24 hours before the ceasefire is due to begin, Kofi Annan, the United Nations and Arab League envoy, has received Syria’s assurances of accordance to the deadline. Violence is due to come to an end at 6am on Thursday morning, with both Syrian army and opposition adherence necessary for success. Speaking from Moscow, Walid al-Muallem, Syria’s foreign minister, confirmed his country’s commitment to end the use of heavy weaponry.

This news comes despite reports from activists of continued violence in the areas of the country already hit the hardest, namely the rebel-held city of Homs, as well as reports of violence on the Turkish border.  The government failed to observe a Tuesday deadline to withdraw troops and the fresh surge in violence is seen as a reaction to this.

Annan is currently in Tehran, Iran, in an attempt to secure the nation’s help in ending the violence. To date, Iran has shown strong support for Assad’s regime, but Annan has said that Iran had agreed that it was necessary to “find a peaceful solution to the crisis”.

Although there are claims that the plan has failed before it has even been implemented, with reports from the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) that 1,000 people have died in the last eight days, Annan retains faith in his plan, drawing attention to Syria’s endorsement and in addition, highlighting the lack of any other viable alternative. Many see this as the most realistic step towards a solution to the crisis.

“The political process must be Syrian-led and respect the aspirations of the Syrian people,” Annan said. “What is important is that governments in the region and beyond work with Syria to resolve the crisis.” The Nobel Peace Prize winner added that any attempts to arm opposition would be “disastrous”.

Western governments are in support of Annan’s plan, though they are condemning of President Bashar al-Assad, who has been in power since 2000, and are reluctant to believe promises of ceasefire so swiftly.

To date, the UN estimates the death toll by Syrian forces at more the 9,000. Damascus has reported that rebels have killed more than 2,500 soldiers and security personnel.

Sophie Mihell-Hale

Related Items

More in Uncategorised

Marcel!

★★★★★
Andrew Murray
Read More

More than Ever (Plus que Jamais)

★★★★★
Matthew McMillan
Read More

Plan 75

★★★★★
Selina Sondermann
Read More

Enys Men

★★★★★
Andrew Murray
Read More

The Stranger

★★★★★
Andrew Murray
Read More

The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre

★★★★★
Natallia Pearmain
Read More

The Amazons launch How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me? at Live Nation

Bev Lung
Read More

Dirty Dancing the Movie in concert at Apollo Theatre

★★★★★
Jim Compton-Hall
Read More

Corsage

★★★★★
Matthew McMillan
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Albert Adrià reopens Enigma on 7 June as a “fun-dining” restaurant and cocktail bar
    Food & Drinks
  • The Road Dance
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Paolo Nutini at the 100 Club
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Crimes of the Future: Three new clips from David Cronenberg’s dystopian body horror film
    Cannes
  • The Innocents
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Marcel!
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • More than Ever (Plus que Jamais)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Plan 75
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Enys Men
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • The Stranger
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • More than Ever (Plus que Jamais)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Plan 75
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
  • Dirty Dancing the Movie in concert at Apollo Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Feminine Power: The Divine to the Demonic at the British Museum
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • Eo (Hi-Han)
    ★★★★★
    Cannes
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Santorum suspends Republican presidency campaign, clearing the path for Romney
Week of Premier League drama: Title race still on as Wigan throw championship wide open with victory over United