Arab League, Russia Agree Plan on Syria

Cairo, March 10 (QNA) - Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday they have achieved a plan of five points to resolve the Syrian crisis. In a joint press conference following a meeting held here on the sidelines of the 137th session of the Arab League Council in the presence of the Arab League Secretary-General Dr. Nabil Al Araby, the Qatari Premier said a five- point plan was reached after an in-depth and frank discussion with the Russian side. The initiative includes the cessation of violence "whatever their origin", the creation of a neutral mechanism to monitor the security situation, the rejection of foreign intervention, granting humanitarian access to all Syrians in need of assistance, providing immediate support for the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and Arab League, Kofi Annan to launch a political dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition, explained HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani. Annan's peace mission on Syria, which started today, is to be carried out in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution A/Res/66/253 of 16 February 2012, the Plan of Action of the League of Arab States of 2 November 2011 and its subsequent decisions, including its decision on 22 January 2012 aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution of the crisis, and the decision of 12 February 2012, said HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani. A resolution on the Syrian crisis will be issued later today by the Arab League Council on the situation in Syria, he added. For his part, the Russian Foreign Minister welcomed the meeting with Arab counterparts, adding that the discussions were frank and direct, based on mutual respect. “We converged upon a common position and achieved a five- point plan, which would send a clear message to all parties in Syria and support Annan's mission there," said Lavrov. The Russian Foreign Minister expressed hope that the UN-Arab League Special Envoy's mission will lead to the beginning of a dialogue. (QNA)