Confirmed by Kofi Annan. If Assad stops the violence the rebels must also lay down their arms. But in recent days the rebels have received financial support from Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries. U.S. ambassador to the UN skeptical.

New York (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Syria has accepted the date of April 10 as the deadline for an end to violence and acceptance of the UN peace plan for the country. The news was announced last night by the same Kofi Annan in a video conference with the UN Security Council.

Kofi Annan, United Nations and the Arab League envoy, is responsible for a peace plan that tables a ceasefire by the army and rebels by April 10 to allow humanitarian aid through to conflict-affected areas; the start of a political dialogue between the regime and its opponents, the release of all prisoners held in an arbitrary manner, allows the entry and the movement of journalists and ensures freedom of association and to demonstrate peacefully.

Already last week, Syria had said it accepted the peace plan, but clashes and violence continued in Homs and Idlib.

Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the UN, has shown skepticism about Syria's promises: "We have seen many promises made and promises broken," she said.

The problem facing Annan is how to verify the implementation of the plan. If Assad puts an end to violence, the rebels must also lay down their arms within 48 hours from April 10. But in recent days, Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries have decided to open a fund of 100 million US dollars as "paid wages" of fighters and soldiers who desert the army.

 

• syria
• UN
• assad
• kofi
• annan
• peace
• plan
• ceasefire
• rebels
• saudi
• arabia