UN Envoy 'Optimistic' about Peace in Syria

A swift resolution of the conflict in Syria will be hard, but there are reasons to be optimistic, said UN and Arab League special envoy to the country Kofi Annan.

Sunday the former UN Secretary General met for the second time Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to discuss the possibility for a ceasefire with rebels.

"Achieving this would be hard, but there is hope. I am optimistic for a number of reasons," said Annan at a press conference in Damascus, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

At the same time, President Assad had reiterated his position that no political talks can be successful in Syria as long as terrorist groups disturb the peace of the country.

While in Syria, Annan did not have the chance to travel to Homs, site of much of the Syrian unrest, where fighting has been still going on this week.

In addition to visiting Syria to talk to Assad, Annan plans to travel to neighboring countries to consult on the situation in Syria.

Apart from securing a ceasefire, the other main goal of the UN envoy is to secure humanitarian corridors to affected areas.

Sunday German Foreign Affairs Minister Guido Westerwelle issued a strong call for a "political resolution" of the conflict in Syria, urging both sides to lay their arms down.

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