Seize the chance, London tells Syria

UNITED NATIONS, March 21 (UPI) -- Syrian authorities are called on to take the initiative and back a plan put forward by joint U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, U.K. officials said.

The U.N. Security Council announced Wednesday it backed a six-point plan offered by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The mission, backed by a U.N. presidential statement, called on Damascus to pull its military forces off the streets "immediately." As this work moves forward, the government should work with Annan to bring about a sustained cease-fire from all parties to the violence, the statement, as published by CNN, read.

Annan would seek "similar commitments" from opposition forces. While the United Nations had suggested referring Damascus to the International Criminal Court for alleged atrocities, Human Rights Watch reported that opposition forces inside the country likely committed abuses during the yearlong conflict.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague called on Damascus to "take this chance to stop the bloodshed" and implement Annan's plan.

Presidential statements aren't binding measures but they require the unanimous consent from members of the Security Council. The Security Council hasn't been able to pass a resolution censuring Damascus because of opposition from China and Russia, two veto-wielding members.

The Syrian government maintains it is fighting domestic terrorists.