Syria 'regrets' Annan resignation
2012-08-02 22:19
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Syria
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Damascus - Syria "regrets" the resignation of UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
The ministry expressed its "regrets" at Annan's announcement he would step down at the end of the month and accused "countries which seek to destabilise Syria" of having "hindered and continuing to hinder" the former UN chief's peace mission.
"Syria always proved it was totally engaged in the [Annan] plan," the ministry said, despite international criticism of its failure to halt its use of heavy weapons and withdraw from protest centres in accordance with the blueprint.
Damascus is "committed to the fight against terrorism in order to restore security and stability, and protect its citizens", the ministry said.
It added that Syria "continues to believe that the only way out of the crisis is national dialogue and reconciliation, without any foreign intervention".
Annan was appointed envoy on 23 February.
His six-point peace plan was supposed to have begun with a ceasefire from 12 April, but it never took hold.
