LOC20:29
17:29 GMT
WASHINGTON, June 16 (KUNA) -- The White House is consulting with
international allies on "next steps" in the Syrian crisis after UN observers
suspended operations there, officials said Saturday.
"We call again on the Syrian regime to uphold its commitments under the
Annan plan, including the full implementation of a ceasefire," White House
spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statement.
US officials have aired skepticism about Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's
willingness to comply with the plan brokered by United Nations mediator Kofi
Annan.
"At this critical juncture, we are consulting with our international
partners regarding next steps toward a Syrian-led political transition as
called for in Security Council resolutions," Vietor said. But he provided no
specifics.
"The sooner this transition takes place, the greater the chance of averting
a lengthy and bloody sectarian civil war," Vietor said.
Chief monitor General Robert Mood said earlier the fighting in Syria posed
a threat to his unarmed observers and prevented them from carrying out their
mandate to oversee Annan's widely ignored April 12 ceasefire. One of the
observer mission's patrols was fired upon four days ago.
US President Barack Obama will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir
Putin on Monday on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Mexico, but expectations
are low for any significant progress for breaking the deadlock on Syria. (end)
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