The Syrian opposition needs to follow official Damascus in supporting UN envoy Kofi Annan’s plan for negotiating an end to a bloody standoff in the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
The Damascus-backed six-point plan allows for “realization of the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians while respecting the country’s sovereignty and independence, with consolidated backing of the entire global community,” ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said.
“It’s crucial in this context that Syrian opposition groups follow Damascus’ example and clearly state their support of the UN Security Council-backed proposal” to mediate the conflict, Lukashevich said in a statement in Russian.
Syrian opposition groups, including their main representative, the Syrian National Council, have not commented on the proposal as of Wednesday.
Annan’s plan includes implementing UN-supervised ceasefire, ensuring nationwide access to humanitarian aid in Syria, releasing political prisoners, upholding freedoms of movement and association and advancing political process in the country.
The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad voiced support for the plan after talks with Annan in Damascus earlier this month.
More than 9,000 died in a year-long conflict between Assad’s government and political opposition, according to latest UN estimates. Western powers have called on Assad to step down, but the demand was not included in Annan’s plan, which was supported by Moscow, Assad’s main international backer.
