Syrian Regime Seizes Rebel Stronghold of Idlib

Kofi Annan and Bashar al-Assad

The UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan received a response from Syrian authorities to the proposals laid out in weekend meetings. The opposition said 40 people died across Syria on Wednesday. Reports indicated that 23 activists died in the rebel stronghold of Idlib.

Annan met last weekend with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss a diplomatic solution for the yearlong Syrian conflict. Three U.S. administration officials informed that al-Assad rejected Annan’s efforts despite two days talks, saying he doesn’t recognize the former UN secretary general as the Arab League representative.

Al-Assad will not do anything until the opposition surrenders their arms; the Syrian president insists that “armed terrorist groups” are behind the bloodshed in Syria.

According to the president of the UN General Assembly the death toll is of 8,000, while opposition activists state that the casualties surpass the 9,000. (AV)