Envoy: Syria to Cease Military Operations by April 10

U.N.-Arab League Syria Envoy Kofi Annan told the U.N. Security Council Monday that the Syrian government has agreed to begin withdrawing its troops from towns and cities and will complete its military pullback by April 10.

Kofi Annan briefed the 15-nation Security Council via a video link from Geneva during a closed meeting. Afterwards, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice, who holds the council’s rotating presidency this month, told reporters that Annan reported on the Syrian pledge to implement the cessation of hostilities.

“Mr. Annan reported that the Syrian foreign minister sent him a letter yesterday in which he said the Syrian military will begin immediately -- and by April 10 will complete -- the cessation of all forward deployment and use of heavy weapons and will complete its withdrawal from population centers," said Rice.

Rice added that the opposition fighters would then be expected to stop fighting within 48 hours of the April 10 deadline. She said Annan told the council that he wished the deadline would have been sooner than April 10, but he urged the Syrian government to start immediately and ensure that its forces move no further into population centers.

The U.S. ambassador said Annan is expecting further details from the Syrian government on other aspects of his six point plan, including on humanitarian access, access for the media and the political process.

Syria’s U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari told reporters his government is committed to the success of Mr. Annan’s mission and that he hoped the other parties would cooperate.

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TheDemSocialist said:

Read more @: [/FONT][/COLOR][/LEFT]Envoy: Syria to Cease Military Operations by April 10 | Middle East | English

I'm glad they finally got some **** figured out in Syria. Hopefully this will go all as smoothly as possible. Only thing that worries me is that Syrian gov forces get 10 days to continue to do what they do...
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