UN, Arab League envoy Annan plans visit to Syria for mediation

At the UN Headquarters in New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has met with Kofi Annan, the lately appointed UN and Arab League joint special envoy for Syria. Annan said the "one mediation process" is crucial to end Syrian crisis, and he expects to visit the country "fairly soon".

Kofi Annan said, "The first thing we need to do as the Secretary-General has said is to do everything we can to stop the violence and the killing to facilitate humanitarian access and ensure that the needy are looked after and work with the Syrians in coming up with a peaceful solution which respects the aspirations and eventually stabilize the country."

Ban Ki-moon said, "The situation in Syria has grown increasingly desperate. There is no more urgent task before the international community than to end the killing immediately.

The government must cease using force against civilians. We seek a cessation of violence that sets the stage for peaceful solutions - a solution that offers all the Syrian people, regardless of religion or ethnicity or political affiliation, a future of security, dignity and freedom. "