The U.N. Security Council met Tuesday to discuss a presidential statement supporting the work of joint U.N.-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan's mission in Syria. Annan on Friday called on the council to send a unified message to support the work of his mission, which is seeking an end to the violence. French Ambassador Gerard Araud on Monday said he was hopeful that a presidential statement-which is non-binding but must have the support of all 15 members-could be reached. The statement being discussed by the council reportedly contains the phrase “further measures” if the Syrian authorities reject Annan's proposals. --MORE
