Syria promises to help in Annan's mission

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said here Thursday his country would spare no effort to make UN-Arab Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan's mission a success. In a message to the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit, Al-Assad said Syria would "spare no effort" to make the mission a success but warned that Annan must secure a commitment from armed groups to cease "terrorist acts" against the government. The statement marks Syria's first comment on the six-point plan being promoted by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan. The Syrian leader emphasized that those countries which provide "armed groups" with money and weapons should stop doing so immediately. He also unveiled that his country would launch soon national dialogue involving all groups with a view to ensuring security and stability in the country, urging the BRICS member states to help in this respect. Kofi Annan's plan calls for a "Syrian-led political process" as well as a UN-supervised ceasefire, humanitarian and media access, release of prisoners and legal protests. Moscow and Beijing have announced support for the initiative but are wary of anything that involves regime change.