Annan Plan Demands 'Irreversible' Steps to End Syria War

U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan will demand "irreversible" steps by President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian opposition to end the country's conflict, according to a copy of his transition plan obtained by AFP.

A blueprint for multi-party elections and an offer for "significant" international funding to rebuild Syria will also be discussed at a meeting of foreign ministers from the major powers and other key countries in Geneva on Saturday.

With the battle between Assad's forces and opposition groups becoming more bitter by the day, the special envoy's plan says it is "essential that any settlement provides for clear and irreversible steps in the transition according to a fixed time frame."

Annan calls for a "transitional government of national unity" to establish a "neutral environment" for the transition, according to the plan, given to AFP by diplomatic sources.

The interim government "could include members of the present government and the opposition and other groups, but would exclude from government those whose continued presence and participation would undermine the credibility of the transition and jeopardize stability and reconciliation.

Diplomats have said this means that Assad could be ruled out of the government but did not automatically exclude his participation. It could also mean certain opposition figures would be kept out of the transition authority.

Assad's future is likely to be a key part of the Geneva talks when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will negotiate with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, along with the foreign ministers of Britain, France, Russia, Qatar, Turkey and Kuwait.

Russia is Syria's last major international ally and Lavrov said Thursday that "foreign players should not be dictating their solutions to the Syrians. We do not and cannot support any intervention or solutions dictated from abroad."

Annan's transition plan calls for a "national dialogue process" which he insists must be "meaningful." "That is to say its key outcomes must be implemented."

He says there must be a review of the constitution and legal system "subject to popular approval."

"Once the new constitutional order is established, it is necessary to prepare for and conduct free and fair multi-party elections for the new institutions and offices that have been established," the document says.

But Annan, who agreed a six point peace plan with Assad that has not been carried out, stresses that the conditions for a political settlement must be put in place now.

"There must be an end to bloodshed. All parties must re-commit themselves credibly to the six-point plan. This must include a cessation of armed violence in all its forms and immediate, credible and visible actions" to carry out the plan.

Both sides must "engage genuinely" with Annan and name "effective" negotiators to work on a settlement.

"The organized international community, including the members of the Action Group stands ready to offer significant support for the implementation of an agreement reached by the parties," says the document.

"This may include an international assistance presence under a United Nations mandate if requested. Significant funds will be available to support reconstruction and rehabilitation."