UN-Arab League envoy discusses situation in Syria with King of Jordan

The Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League for the Syrian Crisis, Kofi Annan, today met with King Adbullah II Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, for talks on developments in neighbouring Syria.

“They discussed the complexity of the crisis in Syria and its potential impact on the region,” Mr. Annan’s spokesperson said in statement. “The Joint Special Envoy briefed him on his recent visit to Damascus and on his efforts to push for full implementation of the six-point plan. They agreed on the importance of ending the violence and finding a political solution.”

Earlier this week, the Joint Special Envoy had been in Damascus where he met President Bashar al-Assad. He then travelled to Jordan where he met, yesterday, its Prime Minister Fayez al-Tarawneh and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, with whom he also discussed the situation in Syria.

Following his visit to Jordan, the Joint Special Envoy travelled to the Lebanese capital of Beirut, where he met President Michel Sleiman in the afternoon and the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, in the evening.

In addition to discussions on the impact of the crisis on Syria’s neighbours and the region as a whole, Mr. Annan noted the importance of safeguarding Lebanon’s stability and security during this difficult period.

Lebanon has experienced violent incidents recently. They were reportedly related to the unrest in neighbouring Syria, centred on clashes between sympathizers and opponents of the different parties to the conflict there.

The UN estimates that more than 9,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Syria and tens of thousands displaced since the uprising against President al-Assad began some 15 months ago. Jordan has received Syrian refugees who have fled the violence in their country.

The six-point plan – put forward by Mr. Annan in March this year – calls for an end to violence, access for humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those in need, the release of detainees, the start of inclusive political dialogue that takes into account the aspirations of the Syrian people, and unrestricted access to the country for the international media.