Assad to face 'renewed threat of international action' for breaking peace plan deal

Damascus, Apr 11 (ANI): Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will face a renewed threat of international action as peace negotiator UN-Arab League peace envoy Kofi Annan accused his government of breaking promises to embrace a ceasefire.

Annan told the UN Security Council that the regime had not pulled its troops and heavy equipment out of towns and cities by the April 10 deadline, as demanded.

"It is essential that the next 48 hours bring visible signs of immediate and indisputable change in the military posture of the government forces throughout the country, as called upon by the six-point plan," Annan said in a letter to the council.

The former United Nations secretary-general also said that Syria was demanding a guarantee that the rebels lay down their arms and disband, and a commitment by regional nations not to arm them.

Annan stressed that these requirements were not part of his original peace plan, The Telegraph reports.

According to the paper, as Assad's forces continue its brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protestors, Britain and other Western powers called for Assad to be censured by the UN.

William Hague, the UK Foreign Secretary, said he wanted the Security Council to refer Assad to the International Criminal Court.

"President Assad and his closest cronies should be under no doubt that they will be held to account for their actions," the paper quoted Hague, as saying.

Meanwhile, the Security Council called for the Syrian government to make a 'fundamental change of course' to end hostilities by 6am Damascus time. (ANI)