Kofi Annan, the joint U.N.-Arab League special envoy for Syria, is sending a technical team to Damascus next week to discuss a proposal to deploy international monitors. "I can confirm that one of the suggestions in the proposals is a mechanism for monitors," Ahmad Fawzi told Reuters in Geneva on Friday, commenting on a Syrian foreign ministry statement carried by the official news agency SANA. "He is sending a team-a technical mission-to Damascus early next week to discuss details of this mechanism and how to implement other elements of the proposals," Fawzi said. "His next move will depend on progress made by this mission or lack thereof." Annan has presented a five-point peace plan including a ceasefire, access for humanitarian aid, and political dialogue with the Syrian opposition. On Friday, Annan briefed the Security Council via video conference behind closed doors. Speaking after the briefing, British Ambassador Mark Lyall-Grant said Annan told them that a unified message from the council would help his mission.
