BEIRUT, March 31 (Reuters) -Syriahas said a year-long revolt against PresidentBashar al-Assadis now over, but that it would retain its right to use its forces to "maintain security" before withdrawing from cities in line with a U.N.-backed peace plan.
Foreign MinistryspokesmanJihad MakdissitoldSyriaTV thatUnited Nations-Arab Leaguespecial envoyKofi Annanhad acknowledged the government’s right to respond to armed violence. Makdissi said that handling this was a Syrian matter.
He saidSyriawould cooperate with theUnited Nationsto "remove any excuses" for further international pressure.
"The battle to topple the state is over. Our goal now is to ensure stability and create a perspective for reform and development inSyriawhile preventing others from sabotaging the path of reform," Makdissi told the state news channel late on Friday.
He saidSyria’s conditions on its acceptance of Annan’s proposals included recognition of the government’s sovereignty and its right to security.
"The other requirement is not to harm Syrian stability … When security can be maintained for civilians, thearmywill leave. It is not waiting forKofi Annanto leave, this is a Syrian matter."
Annan’s spokesman has said the plan makes clearSyriamust be first to withdraw troops and stop violence, saying "the deadline is now." His proposal saysSyriamust stop putting troops into cities and begin taking them out.
The text of the plan states: "TheSyrian governmentshould immediately cease troop movement towards, and end the use of heavy weapons in, population centres, and begin pullback of military concentrations in and around population centres."
"As these actions are being taken on the ground, the Syrian government should work with the envoy to bring about a sustained cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties with an effectiveUnited Nationssupervision mechanism," the plan says.
Western diplomats say implementation of a ceasefire – the main thrust of Annan’s six-point peace plan – depends on in the sequencing of thearmypullback and ending rebel armed attacks.
They say it would be impractical to expect a complete government pullout before the rebels are obliged to respond.
In 2011, anArab Leagueobserver mission sent to oversee the promised withdrawal of theSyrian armyfrom opposition flashpoints collapsed partly over the issue of when and how troops could be withdrawn.
Syriaand its allies have in recent days claimed political victory over an opposition struggle to end four decades of Assad family rule, noting that Annan’s U.N. plan for political negotiations has dropped anArab Leaguecall for Assad to go.
