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June 8, 2012

Annan: Ceasefire in Tatters, Assad Primarily Responsible 
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At the United Nations, international envoy Koffi Annan acknowledged his
ceasefire plan has failed and said responsibility first rests with
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Kofi Annan: "Today, despite the acceptance of the six-point plan the
deployment of a courageous mission of United Nations observers to Syria,
I must be frank and confirm that the plan is not being implemented.
Clearly all parties must cease violence, but equally clearly, the first
responsibility lies with the government. Since then, shelling of cities
has intensified. Government-backed militia seem to have free reign with
appalling consequences."

Also in his remarks, Annan renewed his warning that Syria may already be
in the midst of a catastrophic civil war.

Kofi Annan: "Given the level of violence and the actors on the ground
you could say we are drifting if we are not already in sort of a civil
war. All efforts are being made to ensure that if it were to become a
full blown civil war it doesn't spread to the neighbors."

 

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