. >> the international envoy kofi annan meets with assad on a peace mission. reports in italy. with as many as three people killed. >> and brev itch claimed to be preoccupied with money and looks. welcome to "bbc world news." i'm greet greet geeta guru-murthy with you. >> this guy doesn't take money. but i've come up with solutions. >> the u.n. peace envoy kofi annan is meeting with basha al-assad today after international outrage over killings of over 100 in hula. kofi annan is warning the syrian government it needs to take serious steps if they want to solve this peacefully. it's explained how kofi annan's talking to assad will unlikely proceed well unless russia takes an act. >> what might have gone on between russia and damascus, because if the russians have done nothing to twist the regime's arm, kofi annan may go away without progress. because russia may claim it's others that carried out the massacre. if he is stone walled that way, kofi annan will go away and there will be a sectarian civil war. that will be looming larger. the important thing is the russians are the on

will support the kofi annan plan. -- we support the kofi annan plan. >> anon it has -- annan has scuttled a meeting. the u.n. is far from agreeing to these measures. >> as we just saw, sergei lavrov has qualified russia's support for syria. are they distancing themselves from assad? we put that question to our foreign bureau chief. >> wants to give that question that it is not the last remaining supporter of the assad regime. russia has been criticizing for some time for not fully implementing kofi annan's peace plan. the kremlin has already realized that assad will have to be replaced, and that behind the scenes, moscow is working on a plan for transition of power in damascus. but we do not have any confirmation up that. even now, russia refuses for assad -- refuses to call for assad to step down. >> for more on this, let's be joined in the studio by our middle east expert. we just heard from moscow there. how strong is russian support at this point for the regime in syria? >> the support remains very strong, but what we are witnessing now is a change in time keeping the russian governme

that is one of the six points of the kofi annan peace plan. there is supposed to be a cessation of violence that would ultimately pave the way for the opposition and government to enter into some type of political discourse. some have suggested the yemeni model, others suggested all kinds of scenarios. for now the problem seems to be there is no cessation to advice lens and getting to the discussion has been nearly impossible. that is something the opposition says it will not do so long as the president stays in power. the u.n. substantiating the video saying 13 people's bodies were found shot at close range. just adding more fuel to the fire that the atrocities and killing have not stopped. >> this is leading to increasing pressure on the administration. we're going to be talking to dan sen nor from the romney camp and as well to the u.n. ambassador susan rice when she comes out of the u.n. security council and her briefings. but at this point, isn't there the increasing pressure for the u.s. to do something more? some of the arab allies are

kofi annan knows the game he is playing. this is a man who has dealt with the genocide throughout the 90's in bosnia, rwanda. he has gone head-to-head with dictators. he knows what is going on. his message is clear. he needs help, or we will face dire consequences in syria. i hope the world listens to him. >> you think this peace plan will ultimately work? >> yes. >> grateful for your time. thank you for joining us. fallout from the greek election continues, affecting the era now. -- the euro now. >> there are concerns after the election in greece of the country without a government. the leader of a left-wing party which opposes austerity measures has been given three days to form a coalition government. if the coalition is not formed, fresh elections will have to be called. we report from athens. >> another long day of uncertainty ending, they headed home, still with no government, still clear this election had delivered a resounding message. >> i think the right thing to do -- >> not to pay the debt of all? >> yes. not at

let's turn to the kofi annan mission. i am told that he is just arrived. what is he supposed to do, realistically? we have had six or seven weeks of his plan and not much has changed, as your reporters made clear. >> yes, well and he is fighting to say that plan and to get some sort of process going, which seems almost like a joke under current circumstances. he will convey from the security council its insistence that the government must be serious about implementing its plan. the government announced it accepted the plan. he received a letter from the foreign minister who he will meet shortly that says in writing they have implemented the plan to pull their army and weapons back to the barracks. that has not happened, but it is in writing from the government that it has. he will likely have strong words behind-the-scenes about what is going on. beyond that, he wants to get a political process going. the only way out of this is a process of dialogue between the government and the opposition. the opposition is deeply fractured over the idea of some kind of

for syria and the kofi annan peace plan? you're listening to one from the state department, clear frustration, but also, not much of a plan coming out of washington. >> know. i think they are facing a situation where washington does not intend to do much in terms of an intervention, because of the presidential campaign. because the mood in the country does not support that. you also have the russian and chinese position, which are not supportive of any sort of u.n.- led campaign to do that, but you also have a legal position in syria that has also not come up with a clear plan. this is all going to what we see today, a combination of the prolonging of the problem, more political and economic sanctions, but nothing in the way of changing things in a major way on the ground. >> it does not sound like the timetable of doing anything different is imminent. we have kofi annan today saying we are at a tipping point. what kind of tipping point? what happens after this sort of tipping point? >> kofi annan had a six-point plan, which

support for the kofi annan plan.he fact that we need to increase pressure on the government in syria in particular to abide by its resolutions it's made in previous agreements with the u.n. security council. but the question of what pressure can be put on the government, whether we can go to sanctions are other measures is to be seen in the next few days. certainly, we have seen that we do need to increase the pressure. most members of the council also believe that. otherwise, the kofi annan plan is in serious difficulty. >> given what we have seen in syria over the last few days, the massacres in the east of the country and the killings, it is not over yet, is it? >> no, it is not over yet. we will hear from kofi annan next week in new york. he will brief us on the discussions in damascus. >> syria is not abiding by the cease-fire arrangement. >> no, it is not. and we laid the blame clearly at the door of the regime for that. and other efforts by the syrian government to pretend it was not responsible for the massac

noted that there has been a decrease of violence in syria but the international envoy kofi annan said there is still a profound concern that syria is descending into full on civil war up to one hundred international observers are already working there the only said the number will reach three hundred by the end of the month so there's going to be more eyes on the ground as of now he said and i'm going to i'm going to quote here there have been a worrying episodes of violence by the government but we have also seen attacks against government forces troops and installations. the u.s. has been leading cool's for president assad to with preconditions just as washington reacted to these latest developments. well it's very interesting how the u.s. ambassador susan rice responded to the claims made by the syrian ambassador she brushed off the question about terrorists and then she went on talking about those who took up arms to fight for their rights a very dubious question arises here is that in a campaign to justify violence on one side while. there are you know the other being exclusively

." >> kofi annan in make or break talks to save his syrian peace plan. the u.n. said even children were killed at point-blank range. hello and welcome to "g.m.t." with the world news and opinion. also in the program, at least 10 people killed in a new earthquake in northern italy 10 days after the last major earthquake. friends of norway self-confessed mass killer gives evidence in court. one says anders behring breivik wanted to look more arian. -- aryan. it's midday in london. in damascus, the international peace envoy kofi annan meeting with the president described as a make or break attempt to save his peace plan. it saves place against the backdrop of many are calling the massive houla. children were shot at point-blank range or stabbed. in france, condemnation has turned to action with the syrian ambassador will be expelled. >> kofi annan said his talks would be serious and frank. plain speaking behind closed doors but it may be sometime before the real outcome is known. the first official account that he supported his peace plan though it currently is in t

she worked alongside kofi annan. she says assad has no intention of bringing the violence to an end. >> he is acting with impunity. it will continue until the international committee mary is the diplomacy of kofi annan with the use of force. >> kofi annan has been trying to implement a peace plan. it is not working. the violence still's continues. the un observers are showing us bloodshed. it is not working. what of the diplomacy can be used? >> the diplomacy has to get stronger. if russia moves, china will follow. the real question is what will stand up to the forces in the short term? that has got to be a multinational force to protect the city is on the ground. only that will prevent the violence while the negotiations go forward. the international community lacks the will to do that right now. the missing ingredient, how many more lives will need to be lost before the international community gets the will to do that? >> what kind of multinational force the suggest? the violence is the continuing. what they see as

bbc news. >> so what of the kofi annan peace plan? it has been agreed on by all sides, but the government forces and the opposition are breaking the cease-fire, and there is no agreement in the international community on the next step. here is our bbc correspondent, -- ken doll -- bridget kendal. >> what are the options? already the diplomatic pressure has been stepped up, including 18 in syria trying to implement the peace plan of kofi annan. but still, the only hope for peace, according to the british foreign secretary who was in moscow today. but they worry that the diplomatic rhetoric is beginning to sound hollow. >> we very much agree that the kofi annan plan is the best hope for syria. at the moment, the only hope for syria to try to break the cycle of violence. >> not all countries blame the alleged massacre on the government. china and russia want an inquiry, but the big question is, are we looking at a turning point that could lead to an international military intervention. it does not look likely. even if what happens was be

kofi annan has said that they will make some difference. he is for the first time warned that his plan might fail. the government and the rebels can hold their fire for the sake of a country's suffering people. >> at the united nations in new york. >> the president of the american public affairs committee, the group calling for freedom, democracy, and human rights in syria. welcome to bbc news. listening to that, do you agree that this is a last chance for a peace plan to avoid civil war? >> there has been many chances for the syrian regime to cease brutality and violence in the country. he has shown time and again that he has no content to stop. he has failed to withdraw military equipment from cities. the bombardment has continued to go on. then he shifts his activities from a military apparatus to a police apparatus wear intelligence areas are killing children and raping women. there is an ongoing violence that is not seen to the eyes of the world. >> you have family and friends inside syria. what do they make of the elections? >> what e

also listen un envoy to syria kofi annan blames damascus for the ongoing violence warning syria is slipping into civil war. in the meantime the syrian ambassador to the united nations says a number of regional era powers are sponsoring terror in syria to undermine kofi annan cease fire plan i'll be back with more. online on screen this is r.t. live from moscow with the twenty four hours a day so russia has a new prime minister dmitry medvedev who will now form a cabinet before getting down to business and newly inaugurated president putin is already dishing out the rections regarding changes to the country's policies. of a breakdown primitives acceptance speech. changes to the upper echelons of russian political system also to continue with what he sees as his efforts to multan ice the right political system in russia highlights you need call me as a major point that he wants to to push saying that he wants to increase investment into russia's economy and increase investment from abroad as well also he's saying it's full membership of the w t o is a must and something that he will push for

the international envoy, kofi annan, is visiting syria today. there is no sign of an end to the violence. this footage was recorded today, this morning. it appears to show heavy shelling. unverified reports claim at least 20 people have been killed. in the last few minutes, the british foreign secretary has been speaking in moscow in a press conference. william hague said kofi annan's plan was the only way to proceed diplomatically with the crisis in syria. >> i think russia has an important role to play in that, as we've discussed today. it's not the al eastern active, either the annan plan or the assad regime retaking control of the country. the alternatives are the annan plan or increasing chaos in syria and a descent closer and closer to all-out civil war and collapse. so i think we all have to redouble our efforts to try to make sure that the assad regime implements the annan plan. >> russia's foreign minister also says it was important to stick with implementing the kofi annan cease-fire plan. >> the u.k. and russian federation really want

is committed to the cease-fire and to kofi annan's peace plan. so, discord ant voices there, not surprising, given the fragmented nature of the organization. but certainly, in a sense, both are saying that they are committed to the cease-fire, but one voice saying, well, if the government doesn't help, we will get on with the job, as it were. but now that is being denied by the outside command. >> the one thing they both agree on is they are observing the cease-fire. how far can we go to verify that that is the case? >> well, frankly, it's a very relative business. i mean, we've been attacked and attacks carried out by the f.s.a., which essentially had nothing to do with protecting civilians, but basically a campaign against government forces. yesterday, wednesday, the government staged 25 funerals of military people killed in combat. the previous day, 21 killed, or 21 military funerals carried over from the deaths of the previous day. so, official security forces are being killed in quite large numbers by rebel fighters, presumably linked to the

has accepted kofi annan plan which addresses all sides of the conflict not just the syrian government. reporting there now is a live report and settles in to use rolled back at the top of russian politics groups of opposition activists have continued their isolative walks incidents across the center of moscow which have been going on for three days protesters have now joined the sanction communist rally in the center of moscow and are marching was artie's jacob greaves is the scene. this rally carries historical significance for the communist party being championed as one the greatest achievements of the soviet union but this modern day policy also has very current concerns has been active when it comes to the protest movie scene on the back of the parliamentary elections back in december the not alone at this rally here stay there are those also form the white ribbon movement for free and fair elections they've proven quite active at this rally and one of the reasons is because they've been dwindling support ever since the presidential elections back in march and they will get as man

has accepted kofi annan plan which addresses all sides of the conflict not just the syrian government. meanwhile washington's declared stepping up non-lethal aid to the syrian opposition dr yunus from columbia university says the divided rebel groups fighting for power even among their own ranks could be one of the major obstacles in the way of the u.n. backed peace initiative. the best would be to follow the. plan to the end give it a chance this is the best plan we can have we have seen what military intervention and on rebellion does to states a lot of syrians understand that what they started as a genuine popular revolt has evolved and something that there could be a control anymore and even the opposition is divided different groups are fighting different different wars we have different leaders we don't have one single command so if a shot of us said ses to its troops stop they can stop because there is a state system there but who is going to say to these rebel groups to stop if one group stops maybe two others won't stop and some groups are even fighting between themselves for

with the use of force. >> kofi annan has been trying to implement the peace plan. it is not working, let's be honest about it. the u.n. observers are showing less and confirming bloodshed, incredible violence. it is not working. what other diplomacy can be used? >> the diplomacy is about to get a strong guard with russia supporting stronger sanctions. if russia moves, china will follow. what will stand up to be regimes forces in the short term? that has got to be a multinational force to protect the city's on the ground. only that will prevent the violence while negotiations go forward. the international committee lacks the will to do that right now. that is the missing ingredient. how many lives will need to be lost before the international committee it's the world to do that? -- gets the world to do that? >> what kind of a multinational force do you suggest? what do you see as the solution? >> in a multinational force of turks and well selected arab groups, western support in getting there. to enter the cities and protect the population. that has what has been go

the kofi annan cease-fire plan is the only hope for syria. >> the alternatives is a the kofi annan plan or ever increasing chaos in syria. it is getting closer and closer to all-out civil war and collapse. >> for now, the outside world relies on a small un mission in syria, so far unable to prevent the slide into more and more shocking violence. >> 13 children have been killed in a fire in caught are. what more can you tell us? >> the children are among at least 19 people who died when the fire took hold in a shopping mall in doha, cutting off a nursery from rescue. a staircase collapsed. some witnesses say evacuation procedures were chaotic. >> van eeghen despair in the heart of stock. thick, black, deadly smoke rises from a shopping mall, the center of which was a nursery. although many people escaped, children, many of them from expatriate families, were trapped inside. the smoke block to their exit and made it hard for rescue crews to get in. parents had an anxious wait. later it was confirmed that the children who died were from japan, the philippines, spain, and france. it was als

kofi annan was in damascus on tuesday. this report contains some flash photography. >> these pictures of the dead fromhoula have caused revulsion around the world. the smaller shrouds' tell their own story. at least 40 children are among the dead. syria's government denies any involvement in the house to house murders. testimony from survivors describe as a whole families shot at very close range in their homes by soldiers and militia. this young boy filmed by the opposition says he escaped by playing dead. he saw the bodies of his sisters and mother in his home. after the soldiers left, he escaped to his uncle's house. kofi annan glued to the syrian capital. tomorrow he sees president assad, but his cease-fire plan has incomprehensibly broken. >> those responsible for these brutal crimes must be held to account. >> but the british government is in no doubt who is to blame. syria's top diplomat in london was summoned to be told that the massacre was an evil and sickening crime, to be threatened with robust action against s

has accepted kofi annan plan which addresses all sides of the conflict not just the syrian government. meanwhile syria is counting the votes out of the country held its first parliamentary election for hoffa century but it was boycotted by the opposition. says that amid continuing violence in the country many syrians believe the election gave them a real chance to help that country. it didn't get the stamp of approval from the opposition who'd called for a boycott the people did turn out to vote in syria's parliament to elections the elections taking place against the backdrop of instability in the country and the credibility of the very it's being called into question with the opposition boycotting the vote so that their participation the real question is just how serious a change will this election bring to the political landscape in syria and that's what we've been finding out. because we have some disturbance and some of this is. we have to approve that we can move forward and we can overcome this obstacle here . for people who are like people who support shia who say yes for syri

envoy to syria warned his peace plan is the last chance for the country to avoid civil war kofi annan also accused of failing. the whole violence despite it being nearly a month since the nationwide truce was posed. as details of serious response. were purged the syrian ambassador to the united nations say that a number of regional powers are sponsoring terror in syria to undermine kofi annan is said the syrian government remains committed to the plan but it faces a surge of terrorist attacks including suicide bombings the ambassador shows a d.v.d. and said it has the confessions of dozens of individuals involved in terrorist activities upon the order of certain gulf countries here's what he said these terrorists did not come into syria. by using. into syria through the syrian borders with the neighboring countries so it's not a secret anymore who is behind these groups the. giving orders and to these terrorist. live in qatar saudi arabia and in the area. he also accused turkey of harboring armed groups which are infiltrating syria committing crimes and returning back to turkey becaus

secretary clinton said that we will assess the kofi annan plan. we will make adjustments based on that. >> how much more time do you need? this has been going on for over a year. willfi annan and's deputy brief the security council tomorrow in new york. we will wait for the outcome of that. we will consult with their partners on the security council. >> thank you very much. speaking about a possible next steps, the french president said a military intervention is not ruled out. i was joined in the studio by the former foreign minister of jordan. you're listening to mark turner at the state department. not much of a plan coming out of washington. >> no, you are facing a situation where washington does not intend to do much because of the presidential campaign. the mood in the country does not support that. you also have the russian and chinese position which are not supportive of any type of view. you also have a divided opposition and syria that has not come up with a clear plan for the day after. all of this is leading to what we see today, a con

seen over the weekend that has illuminated the continuing killing and abuse in syria i spoke to kofi annan yesterday of course he is visiting damascus. today and to urge him to make every effort to start the political process. and to encourage of course as we must all encourage the acid regime to implement the plan they have not yet implemented the six point plan of kofi annan i think russia has an important role to play in that as well as we've discussed today it's not as if the alternatives in syria are there and and plan on the ass and regime retaking control of the country the alternatives of the annan plan or ever increasing chaos in syria and descent closer and closer to all out civil war and collapse so i think we all have to redouble our efforts to try to make sure that the acid regime implements the annan plan and we will work closely with russia on doing so and there needs to be a fundamental change in the approach of the asaad regime if syria is to be saved from ever greater chaos and disorder which would not be in the interests of russia or indeed of any other country in the wo