As the Assad regime failed to put in place an agreed six-point plan towards a ceasefire by the agreed deadline of 10th April, today, the UN-Arab League envoy to the region, Kofi Annan, expressed grave concerns to the UN Security Council.
Addressing Security Council members, Annan said,
"The days before 10 April should have been an opportunity for the government of Syria to send a powerful political signal of peace, with action on all aspects of the six-point plan," he wrote in a report to the Security Council.
"I am gravely concerned at the course of events."
Extending the deadline by another 48 hours, Annan said,
"It is essential that the next 48 hours bring visible signs of immediate and indisputable change in the military posture of the government forces throughout the country,"
The Assad regime, which had previously agreed on the peace plan amidst mounting pressure, had then stated they wanted the opposition forces to disarm.
Urging opposition forces to also work towards the extended deadline, Annan said,
"Give no excuse for the government to renege on its commitments".
