Annan discusses Syria with Egypt

Egypt's foreign minister Mohamed Kamel Amr has warned against the deterioration of the Syrian crisis, which might worsen and lead to a civil war. The UN-Arab League special envoy on Syria Kofi Annan, who will arrive in Damascus on Saturday, has urged the Syrian government and opposition to halt the violence and seek a political settlement after one year of conflict. Before visiting the Syrian capital, the former UN chief held talks with Egypt's foreign minister Mohamed Kamel Amr. The world powers have met behind closed doors at the UN to discuss a new US draft resolution urging the end of the violent crackdown on protesters against President Bashar Al-Assad, and calling for unhindered humanitarian access. Annan was in Cairo this week to meet Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby and Egyptian officials. "As I go to Syria, we will do whatever we can to urge and pressure for a cessation of hostilities and put an end to killings and violence. The Syrian people deserve more. Syrians are ancient and brave people who have been caught in the middle," Annan said. "Of course, the solution will be ultimately political. We will be urging the government and the Syrian opposition to come together and work with us to find a solution that will respect the aspirations of the Syrian people," he said. Amr, who has joined other Arab states in pulling his country's ambassador out of Syria, said Egypt will offer its support to Annan. "He has a position that will allow him, God willing, to find a solution to this crisis in the framework of the Arab League initiative. We wish him every success," the minister said after talking to the former UN Secretary General. "We stressed our willingness to cooperate with him in every step he takes," Amr said.