Annan to ask for UN observer mission in Syria

UN General Assembly meeting on Syria - April 5, 2012

Statement by the Joint UN/LAS Special Envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan

Syria is apparently experiencing a rare moment of calm on the ground. This is bringing much-needed relief and hope to the Syrian people who have suffered so much for so long in this brutal conflict. This must now be sustained. All parties have obligations to implement fully the 6-point plan. This includes both the military provisions of the plan and the commitment to move to a political process. I urge all Syrian to seize this opportunity.

The international community is determined to work with the Syrian people to support this process.

The Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, will be asking the Security Council for approval of the deployment of a UN Observer Mission as soon as possible. This will allow us to move quickly to launch a serious political dialogue that will address the concerns and aspirations of the Syrian people.

This is the time for all Syrians to come together in the hope that they can begin to heal their wounds and initiate a political transition to a democratic, plural political system, in which citizens have equal rights and equal opportunities, regardless of their affiliations or ethnicities or beliefs.

Kofi Annan, Joint UN/LAS Special Envoy for Syria

Geneva 12 April 2012

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