U.N.’s Annan: Peace Plan Is Failing, Civil War Looms in Syria

U.N. special envoy Kofi Annan acknowledged in a speech before the General Assembly on Thursday that his six-point peace plan in Syria was not being implemented. Annan warned of “brutal suppression, massacres, sectarian violence and even all-out civil war” if the Assad government does not take steps to curb the violence.

Annan confirmed reports of mass killings Wednesday in al-Qubayr in the Hama region. U.N. observers were reportedly fired upon by pro-government forces when they attempted to enter the village. The observers were authorized by the Syrian government but were turned back at Army checkpoints. The clashes between the Syrian armed forces, pro-government Shabbiha militias, the anti-government Free Syrian Army and other local anti-government groups have left hundreds dead and spurred the U.N. to increase pressure on the Assad regime to restore peace. News of the al-Qubayr massacre comes after the killing of more than 100 civilians in Houla in central Syria last month. — CN

Al-Jazeera:

Kofi Annan, the joint United Nations-Arab League envoy to Syria, has admitted that his peace plan is failing and that the country’s future will consist of “brutal suppression, massacres, sectarian violence and even all-out civil war” if it continues on its current path.

In a speech to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Annan confirmed that massacres of civilians have taken place in the towns of Houla and al-Qubayr. While not assigning blame for the mass killings, the former UN secretary general said that the government, not the armed opposition, had the “first responsibility” to halt violence.

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