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Syria crisis: Annan in second day of talks with Assad Syria crisis: Annan 'optimistic' after talks with Assad
(about 2 hours later)
UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has had a second round of talks with President Bashar al-Assad on ways to end months of violence in Syria. UN-Arab League peace envoy Kofi Annan has said he is "optimistic" following a second round of talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
On Saturday Mr Assad rejected political dialogue while "armed terrorist groups" were operating in the country. He said he had handed over "concrete proposals" to end the bloodshed, but acknowledged no deal was yet in place.
In talks on Saturday, Mr Assad rejected political dialogue while "armed terrorist groups" operated in Syria.
Mr Annan is trying to arrange a ceasefire and gain greater access for humanitarian aid agencies.Mr Annan is trying to arrange a ceasefire and gain greater access for humanitarian aid agencies.
But many in the opposition will be sceptical that the Syrian leader will take any notice, the BBC's Jon Donnison reports from neighbouring Lebanon.
Activists say troops are continuing an assault on the city of Idlib where Free Syrian Army fighters are holed up.Activists say troops are continuing an assault on the city of Idlib where Free Syrian Army fighters are holed up.
Mr Annan, who is on a two-day peace mission to Damascus, is due to move on to Qatar later on Sunday, a UN spokesman says. The rebel fighters are vastly outgunned and fear a massive prolonged assault similar to that which took place in the city of Homs.
On Monday the former UN secretary general is expected to visit Turkey, which has taken a tough line against President Assad's deadly crackdown, reports say. 'Candid talks'
Syrian troops are trying to crush an increasingly armed rebellion that sprang from a harsh crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protests. Speaking to reporters after his meeting with the Syrian president, Mr Annan said he had presented proposals which, if agreed, "will help launch the process and help end the crisis on the ground".
The UN says more than 7,500 people have died since unrest began a year ago. "Our discussions focused on the core objectives of this process, the immediate stop to the violence and the killing, access for humanitarian agencies and the start of a political dialogue," he said.
He said he had urged Mr Assad to embrace change and reform.
"It's going to be tough," he said. "It's going to be difficult but we have to have hope."
He said he was "optimistic for several reasons".
"First of all I've been here for a very short period, almost every Syrian I've met wants peace. They want the violence to stop, they want to move on with their lives," he went on.
But few are hopeful that his mission will bring a swift end to the bloodshed.
Dr Bassma Kodmani, of the opposition Syrian National Council, told the BBC that Mr Assad must stand down as a "first condition" of any negotiations between the government and opposition figures.
For his part, Mr Assad told Mr Annan during their first round of talks on Saturday: "No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability."
If Mr Annan is to stand a chance of producing a peaceful political solution, he would have to persuade the Saudis, Qataris and other key players in the Arab League, and indeed the West, that pushing for regime change is going to plunge Syria and the region into deeper chaos.If Mr Annan is to stand a chance of producing a peaceful political solution, he would have to persuade the Saudis, Qataris and other key players in the Arab League, and indeed the West, that pushing for regime change is going to plunge Syria and the region into deeper chaos.
The West, also set on regime change, finds itself casting around with few valid options for bringing that about swiftly and surely.The West, also set on regime change, finds itself casting around with few valid options for bringing that about swiftly and surely.
Nato and its member powers have from the outset ruled out external military intervention as in Libya, and they continue to do so for a wide variety of compelling reasons - despite the hopes of many Syrian opposition groups that they can somehow be drawn in.Nato and its member powers have from the outset ruled out external military intervention as in Libya, and they continue to do so for a wide variety of compelling reasons - despite the hopes of many Syrian opposition groups that they can somehow be drawn in.
The West is also wary of pouring arms into the opposition, for fear of fuelling a sectarian civil war in which Sunni Islamist radicals could come to the fore - especially since al-Qaeda has begun urging jihadis to join the fray, raising anxieties on which the regime has skilfully played.The West is also wary of pouring arms into the opposition, for fear of fuelling a sectarian civil war in which Sunni Islamist radicals could come to the fore - especially since al-Qaeda has begun urging jihadis to join the fray, raising anxieties on which the regime has skilfully played.
Mr Annan has flown on to Qatar and will visit Turkey on Monday. Both countries have taken a tough line against President Assad's crackdown.
Syrian troops are trying to crush an increasingly armed rebellion that sprang from a harsh crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protests.
The UN says more than 7,500 people have died since unrest began a year ago.
Opposition groups say at least 17 civilians and 16 fighters were killed in Idlib on Saturday, as well as up to 20 government soldiers.Opposition groups say at least 17 civilians and 16 fighters were killed in Idlib on Saturday, as well as up to 20 government soldiers.
Tight restrictions on foreign journalists inside Syria mean the figures cannot be verified.Tight restrictions on foreign journalists inside Syria mean the figures cannot be verified.
'Candid and comprehensive'
Syrian state TV said Mr Annan's first round of talks took place in a "positive" atmosphere.
Mr Assad is reported to have said: "Syria is ready to make a success of any honest effort to find a solution for the events it is witnessing.
"No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability."
A spokesman for Mr Annan called the talks "candid and comprehensive".
On Saturday Mr Annan also met leaders of some Damascus-based opposition groups, including Hassan Abdulazim, head of the Syrian Opposing Co-ordination Body.
"We asked Kofi Annan to co-ordinate with the Arab League and its efforts," said Mr Abdulazim.
"We thanked him for UN efforts to find a solution for the crisis in Syria. Any negotiation for finding a transitional phase should be conducted after stopping violence, releasing prisoners and establishing a suitable environment."
International disagreements have paralysed action on Syria, with Russia and China opposing Western and Arab calls for President Assad to stand down.International disagreements have paralysed action on Syria, with Russia and China opposing Western and Arab calls for President Assad to stand down.
The US has drafted a fresh UN Security Council resolution but the state department said on Friday it was not optimistic that the text would be accepted.The US has drafted a fresh UN Security Council resolution but the state department said on Friday it was not optimistic that the text would be accepted.
Although the UN wants "inclusive political solutions" through dialogue, Syrian opposition leaders have rejected talks while President Assad is still in power.