Experts sent by Annan arrive in Syria: spokesman

GENEVA - Agence Frence-Presse

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan smiles as he speaks to the press on March 16, 2012 in Geneva. AFP Photo

A team of experts dispatched by UN-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan has arrived in Syria, where they will remain as long as progress is made on a monitoring operation to end the bloodshed, a spokesman said today.
 
"The mission has arrived. There are five people with expertise in political, peacekeeping and mediation," Ahmad Fawzi, spokesman for Annan told AFP.

"They will be staying for as long as they are making progress (on reaching) agreement on practical steps to implement Mr Annan's proposals" which include a monitoring mechanism, the spokesman said.
 
Fawzi said he could not disclose the team's "precise plans or location," and that Annan's next visit to Syria would "depend largely on progress being made by the Syrians in working with the mission." The former UN Secretary-General "does have plans to travel to other capitals," added the spokesman.