Assad: Terrorists blocking political settlement

Syrian President Bashar al Assad told visiting UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan that terrorist groups were stopping a political solution to the crisis in the country. Annan is demanding an immediate halt to the unrest and negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition parties. State TV reported there was a positive atmosphere at the two-hour meeting and quoted President Assad as telling his guest: "Syria is ready to ensure success of any honest effort to find a solution to the crisis." "No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability," he added. Before he arrived in Damascus, Annan, the former UN secretary general, said he would press for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. "It is a very difficult assignment. It's a tough challenge," Annan said. "The first thing we need... is to do everything we can to stop the violence and the killing, to facilitate humanitarian access and ensure that the needy are looked after," he added.