Russia: Annan may be Syria's 'last chance'

Russia is encouraging U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan in his attempt to broker peace between the Syrian government and opposition forces, officials say. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Sunday Annan's impending mission to Syria may be the country's last hope before it becomes embroiled in all out civil war, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported. "We appreciate your efforts. Perhaps, it's Syria's last chance to avoid a bloody civil war," Medvedev said to Annan in a meeting. "We are very hopeful that your work will have a positive result." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed Annan should urge both sides toward peace, ITAR-Tass reported. Lavrov said the world "should render common support to the Annan mission. This implies non-interference in Syrian internal affairs and impermissibility of support to either side of the conflict." The UN Security Council adopted Annan's six-point plan to end the Syrian conflict Wednesday. His plan calls for a cease-fire followed by swift access for aid agencies. If Syria refuses to comply, the Security Council threatened "further steps." In the year since protests began against Syrian President Bashar Assad, more than 8,000 people have been killed, the United Nations has estimated.