DOHA: Arab delegates met UN-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan in Qatar on Tuesday and reiterated their backing for his peace plan though admitting that it would take some time to work.
A six-day-old truce has held in some parts of Syria since President Bashar al-Assad pledged to honour it last week, and a small observer mission went to the country this week to oversee the ceasefire.
"All parties should support Mr. Annan and his mission," Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby said in a statement at the meeting in Doha.
"We emphasize two points: full and immediate implementation has not happened, and two, Mr. Annan's mission is a political one and therefore will take some time and will require continuous pressure on the Syrian government as well as support of the permanent members of the Security Council and the continuous passing of resolutions by the council," Elaraby said.
Annan was due to deliver a status report to the Arab League, which has suspended Syria as a member, and discussion was expected to focus on how to enhance the mission, said one delegate, who declined to be named.
The peace plan calls for the withdrawal of heavy weapons and troops from population centres, humanitarian assistance, the release of prisoners and free movement and access for journalists. It does not hinge on Assad leaving office.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday that the observer mission may need to bring in its own aircraft and deploy more troops to ensure that a firm ceasefire takes hold.
"We fully support Mr. Annan and his six point plan, but sadly, the killing still goes on," said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabr Al Thani. "We, the Arab League, continue to follow this situation carefully to see how the violence can be stopped, in coordination with the Syrian national council."
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