MOSCOW — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told the UN envoy to Syria yesterday that his mission may be the final opportunity for Damascus to avoid “a protracted bloody civil war,” and promised Russia’s full support.
Kofi Annan was in Moscow for meetings with the Russian president and foreign minister. He now travels to China, which, along with Russia, has shielded Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad from UN sanctions over his crackdown on an uprising. More than 8,000 people have been killed since the uprising began a year ago.
“We highly value your efforts,” Medvedev told Annan. “This may be the last chance for Syria to avoid a protracted bloody civil war. Therefore, we will provide any assistance at any level.”
The UN Security Council last week endorsed Annan’s six-point plan, which includes talks and a daily two-hour halt in fighting to provide humanitarian aid.