(1 Jun 2012) UN special envoy Kofi Annan said on Friday he is "frustrated" over the continued violence in Syria.
He told reporters in Beirut that Syrian president Bashar Assad must send a signal to the international community that he's determined to implement a UN-brokered peace plan following last week's Houla massacre that killed more than 100 people.
Annan is trying to salvage a truce that he initiated six weeks ago, which calls for a cease-fire by both sides. But the plan has not stopped the country's violent conflict.
"I think perhaps I am more frustrated than most of you because I am in the thick of things and would really want to see things move much faster," he said.
UN investigators have said there are strong suspicions that pro-regime gunmen are responsible for at least some of the killings during the Houla massacre, which occurred over several hours starting late last Friday.
The government denies any role and blames rebel fighters.
"We deplore the killings, we condemn the massacre in Houla and the subsequent killings that happened, and this is I think one more reason that one should make greater effort to find a solution," said Annan.
In fresh violence on Friday, Syrian security forces opened fire as thousands of protesters poured into the streets to mark the Houla massacre, activists said. No casualties were immediately reported.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
