Kofi Annan calls for monitors, talks in Syria

Kofi Annan is calling on the UN Security Council to make a decision on how to handle the ongoing crisis in Syria. Kofi Annan is serving as the chief UN and Arab league envoy to Syria. The former secretary general wants to deploy monitors to the region.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (Catholic Online) - Speaking from Geneva, Annan said he is dispatching a team of negotiators to discuss deployment of international monitors to the region.

Annan met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last week. Following that meeting, he stressed the complexity of the situation and emphasized that it must be handled carefully.

Annan told reporters, "I think it is a conflict in a region of the world that has seen many, many traumatic events, I think we need to handle the situation in Syria very, very carefully."

Annan said that he felt the opposition and government were both eager to end the conflict and were willing to enter talks. 

Around the world, diplomats are expressing optimism that Annan's work in the region can stop the fighting and facilitate the restoration of peace.

Meanwhile, the killing continues. The government's latest offensive is driving back rebel elements across the country. Refugees are streaming across the border into Turkey. The Turkish Red Crescent is scrambling to build refugee camps and provide basic services for the tens of thousands of people trying to escape the violence. The Red Crescent expects up to 500,000 people to eventually settle into refugee camps in Turkey.

Turkey is calling for a 10 kilometer buffer zone to be established in northern Syria to protect refugees fleeing the country. 

The opposition is said to be divided, which is a significant hindrance to progress, both peaceful and military. Some are also accusing Iran of secretly arming and supporting the Syrian government, although there is no concrete evidence of this.

It remains to be seen how China and Russia, will respond to Annan's call. Both countries have previously refused to condemn Syria's bloody crackdown on dissidents.

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