Fri, June 01, 2012
BEIRUT, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Visiting UN, Arab League (AL) joint envoy to Syria Kofi Annan Friday urged Syrian President Bashar al- Assad to take bold actions on implementing his six-point peace plan, expressing frustration over continued violence in Syria, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported.
"Bold action has to be taken by President Assad in Syria to put real energy into the implementation of the six-point peace plan," the report quoted Annan as saying at a joint press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati after their meeting.
"I really want to see things move much faster than they have done," he said.
Annan added "I am sure that UN chief Ban Ki-moon is taking the necessary measures to maintain an unbiased mission in the country (Syria)," noting "the UN Security Council decides when the peace plan has failed."
Meanwhile, the envoy said Lebanon has been exerting all its efforts to control the borders with Syria to thwart all kinds of arms smuggling. "The Lebanese authorities confirmed to us that its borders with Syria are not being used to smuggle arms," he said.
Annan said he discussed with the Lebanese prime minister the measures taken by Lebanon and Jordan to steer clear of the repercussions of the Syrian crisis. "We are exerting efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria, and we condemn the massacre in Houla and the other killings in the country."
Moreover, Annan pledged UN held for Lebanon on the issue of its Shiite pilgrims kidnapped in Syria, saying "we will do whatever we can to help in the case ... We hope that they will be released soon."
Annan had arrived in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Thursday and met with President Michel Suleiman, House Speaker Nabih Berri and the prime minister.
The envoy has left Lebanon for the Qatari capital of Doha.
