Annan calls for Syria interim government

SYRIA: Peace envoy Kofi Annan is proposing a transitional government for Syria including members from both sides of the country's war, diplomats said Wednesday.

The call came after UN investigators reported on atrocities committed inside the country, where rights groups say more than 15,000 people have been killed since an uprising began against President Bashar al-Assad.

Monitors tracking the violence said the last week had been the bloodiest since the fighting started, as a deadly attack on a pro-government television station sparked international outrage.

Annan's proposed interim authority would exclude officials whose presence might jeopardise the transition "or undermine efforts to bring reconciliation," according to a summary given by one UN diplomat.

The major powers -- the US, Britain, France, China and Russia, a key Assad ally -- generally back the plan that will be discussed at a meeting of foreign ministers Annan has convened in Geneva on Saturday, the diplomats said.

"The language of Annan's plan suggests that Assad could be excluded but also that certain opposition figures could be ruled out," said a second UN diplomat, while stressing that there was nothing there that automatically excluded him.

"Russia's acceptance of this plan could be a new sign that it is ready to let Assad go," said the diplomat. AFP