Annan: Syrian government must cease hostilities

Syria said today it will not pull troops from cities and towns engulfed in the country's unrest before life returns to normal in these areas.

UN and Arab League Special Envoy Kofi Annan is insisting the Syrian government be first in declaring a cease-fire and withdrawing troops from civilian areas.

“The very clear implication here is that the government must stop first and then discuss the cessation of hostilities with the other side and with the mediator,” said Ahmed Fawzi, Annan’s spokesman. “The rationale is very simple, we are appealing to the stronger party to make a gesture of good faith and stop the killing. And we are certain if that happens the opposition will follow suit. Its imperative that the killing stops, human rights abuses stops and the violence stops. I can't tell you what the next step will be if it doesn't stop now. The Special Envoy will be briefing the Security Council on Monday and we'll take it from there."

Syria's uprising began a year ago with peaceful protests against President Bashar Assad's regime. In the face of a fierce crackdown, it has become increasingly militarized.

The U.N. estimates more than 9,000 people have been killed in the fighting.

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