Western leaders threaten Syria after UN warns of regime failing to honour ceasefire

Damascus, Apr 20 (ANI): With the UN warnings that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is not honouring terms of a ceasefire, Western leaders have threatened international intervention, including setting up "humanitarian corridors" across Syria.

The Pentagon also warned that "all options" were on the table to resolve the conflict in Syria following assessments from United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

Briefing the UN Security Council ahead of the Paris Summit, Ban said the situation on the ground in Syria was "highly precarious" and that attacks were on the rise, including the "shelling of civilian areas".

The Telegraph further quoted him, as saying that"grave abuses by government forces" required the regime to immediately pull its heavy military equipment out of cities in accordance with Kofi Annan's six-point peace plan.

On Thursday night, Syria's rebel Free Syrian Army said it was time for outside military intervention even without Security Council approval.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe highlighted that the failure of the Annan plan would lead to "civil war". He said "several hundred" international monitors were needed in Syria to police the ceasefire.

The UN was reported to have agreed to a preliminary deal with Damascus for the deployment of more peace monitors. However it was unclear what access or support they would be given.

In a joint statement, the 14 states allied to the Syrian opposition, said the Annan plan was the "last hope". "Every day that passes means tens of new Syrian civilian deaths. It is time to act," the statement mentioned.

The meeting resolved that the "Friends of Syria" Group, which includes France, the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Qatar would do everything to ensure the success of the UN plan. (ANI)