Syria: Annan made special envoy as 'Friends of Syria' gather

Tunis, 24 Feb. (AKI) - The United Nations and the Arab League have named former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan as a special envoy to find a way to halt the violence in Syria.

The announcement comes as foreign ministers from more than 50 countries attend the first meeting of the "Friends of Syria" group in Tunis, Tunisia to discuss measures to stop the fighting in Syria and deliver humanitarian aid.

"I look forward to having the full co-operation of all relevant parties and stakeholders in support of this united and determined effort by the United Nations and the Arab League to help bring an end to the violence and human rights abuses, and promote a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis," said Annan, who in 2001 received the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the UN, on Friday.

Current UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and Arab League head Nabil El-Araby said Annan will aim to create "a peaceful Syrian-led and inclusive political solution that meets the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people through a comprehensive political dialogue between the Syrian Government and the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition."

Thousands have died during the 11-month crackdown on a popular uprising against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's that in some quarters is referred to as a civil war. For three weeks the Syrian government's heavy arms have been concentrated on the central city of Homs, where artillery has pummels civilian neighbourhoods killing hundreds, according to opposition groups.

More than 100 people were killed in Homs on Thursday, including 14 children and a soldier who refused to open fire on civilians, according CNN, citing the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, a loose network of opposition groups that documents government violence.

A number of Arab nations are supplying weapons to anti-Assad militias and rebel forces, according to off-the-record comments by diplomats who spoke with CNN.