Annan says talks with Assad “positive”

The UN special Syrian envoy Kofi Annan has come away from his meeting with Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad speaking of “constructive” talks.

Annan said Syria reaffirmed support for April’s six-point plan for dialogue and an end to the violence. However Syria insists the plan is being undermined by US political support for “terrorists”.

“We agreed an approach which we will also share – which I will share with the armed opposition. I also stressed the importance of moving ahead with a political dialogue, which the president accepts,” said Annan in Damascus, ahead of flying on to Iran in a regional initiative.

Dialogue appears far away today in Homs. Heavy fighting was again reportedly underway, with eyewitnesses saying tanks were deploying on the streets.

The deteriorating situation led to the British and Dutch foreign ministers talking about stepping up sanctions at a meeting in The Hague.

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