Annan is last chance for Syria: Russia

MOSCOW

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev voiced strong support yesterday for U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s mission to end a year of violence in Syria, saying it could be the last chance to avert an even bloodier civil war.

“This may be the last chance for Syria to avoid a long-lasting and bloody civil war. Therefore we will offer you our full support at any level,” Medvedev told Annan at a meeting at a Moscow airport. Annan said that “Syria has an opportunity today to work with me and this mediation process to put an end to the conflict” that would lead to a peaceful settlement.

League won’t ask al-Assad to resign

Meanwhile, the Arab League, which is holding its annual summit in Iraq this week, will not call for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to resign, the group’s secretary general Nabil al-Arabi said yesterday. Statements came as blasts rocked the flashpoint city of Homs, while rebels attacked a military base in Damascus province. Activists said Syrian security forces kill at least 24 people across the country.