Annan: Syria Crisis Must Not Spiral Out Of Control

Joint Special Envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan, says he hopes it will be possible to convene a high-level meeting of ministers at the end of the month to try to push the Syrian peace process forward.

Annan says there is no time to waste, action must be taken to stop the Syrian crisis from spiraling out of control. He has even suggested Iran be part of the peace process. Annan acknowledges the peace plan is not working, that violence in Syria is escalating and so is the suffering of the civilian population, especially children and women. He says the only chance for forging peace in that country is to have the united and sustained support of the international community. He says it is time for countries of influence to raise the pressure on the parties to stop the killing and start the talking. He added that Iran should be “part of the solution” for bringing peace to Syria. Russia has pushed for Iran’s involvement in resolving the conflict, while the U.S. has said Iran should not be involved.