Annan briefs United Nations on effort to end clashes in Syria

AS UN-ARAB League envoy Kofi Annan yesterday briefed a closed session of the UN Security Council on his efforts to end violence in Syria, a blast at Marjeh Square in central Damascus injured four people and damaged shops.

Spacious Marjeh, the location of interior ministry offices, is a strategic and historic square where executions were conducted during the 1916 Arab revolt against the Ottomans and during the 1920s rising against the French.

Protests in the square have been dispersed quickly by police.

In Aleppo a bomb at a kiosk killed the owner, a government supporter.

Opposition activists said clashes continued in Idlib and Homs provinces while troops carried out raids in villages in Deraa.

In line with Mr Annan’s peace plan, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov urged the government to be first to pull its forces out of urban areas, insisting that the rebels should promptly follow suit.

Mr Annan has also demanded humanitarian access to all areas, release of prisoners and dialogue between the regime and opposition.

Mr Lavrov also warned the West against issuing ultimatums to Damascus.

“The security council will judge who should implement [Annan’s] proposals, and how.” The government has said it would pull out of restive cities and towns as soon as normal life is restored; the rebel Free Syrian Army declared it would withdraw once government forces have left.

A Russian destroyer is due in the Syrian port of Tartous to resupply before carrying out exercises off the Syrian coast. A Russian naval source said the visit will be a “technical port call”.

Several Russian warships have docked at the Tartous supply base, Moscow’s sole Mediterranean facility, since the Syrian revolt erupted a year ago. One ship reportedly delivered arms in January.

State news agency Sana reported plans were advanced for the May 7th election which would give Syrians the chance to choose “whom they see fit to represent them”.

Higher election committee head Khalaf al-Ezawi announced that 7,195 candidates, including 710 women, had registered to stand for the 250-seat assembly.

The election follows the February 26th vote that adopted a new multiparty constitution.

On the humanitarian front, Jakob Kellenberger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, is in Damascus for talks on expanding operations and securing access to prisoners.

He is visiting areas affected by fighting and intends to press for a daily two-hour ceasefire to evacuate wounded and provide aid to civilians.

He has met with the external opposition to secure agreement to the ceasefire plan.

A Greek firm that had been supplying Syria with liquified gas has halted deliveries because of EU sanctions.

The EU allowed deliveries to continue during winter. Sanctions could put the price of gas beyond the budget of poor families.