In this Saturday, June 30, 2012 file photo, Kofi Annan, Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League for Syria speaks during a news conference following the Action Group on Syria meeting in the Palace of Nations, at the United Nations' Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. -AP File Photo

GENEVA: UN and Arab League peace Kofi Annan said on Wednesday the UN Security Council was discussing what action it could take next to address the Syria conflict.

Annan spoke after addressing the 15-member council by video conference from Geneva and following visits to Syria, Iran and Iraq this week.

“The Council is now discussing what the next steps should be and what action they can take,” the former UN chief told journalists.

“We should hear something in the next few days.”Envoys said Western powers are poised to present a draft resolution seeking to increase pressure on Assad.

In a short question-and-answer session with journalists, Annan said Iran and Iraq were committed in their support of Annan's six-point plan.

“They support the idea of a political transition,” he said.

Annan, who held talks with President Bashar al-Assad this week, was asked if they had discussed the election of an interlocuteur to begin talks with the opposition to see through the plan aimed at halting the 16-month crisis.

“In all frankness, yes we discussed it,” Annan said.

“He did offer a name. I indicated that I wanted to know a bit about the individual,” Annan said, without giving any further details.

Opinion

Editorial

Energy inflation
23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

ON Tuesday, the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority slashed the average prescribed gas prices of SNGPL by 10pc and...
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...
Bulldozed bill
Updated 22 May, 2024

Bulldozed bill

Where once the party was championing the people and their voices, it is now devising new means to silence them.
Out of the abyss
22 May, 2024

Out of the abyss

ENFORCED disappearances remain a persistent blight on fundamental human rights in the country. Recent exchanges...
Holding Israel accountable
22 May, 2024

Holding Israel accountable

ALTHOUGH the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor wants arrest warrants to be issued for Israel’s prime...