An advance team from the United Nations peacekeeping department is expected in Damascus within 48 hours to discuss deployment of observers to monitor a ceasefire in Syria. As part of a six-part peace plan put forward by envoy Kofi Annan, 200 to 250 unarmed U.N. observers would be deployed to Syria. Nabil Elaraby is secretary general of the Arab League.

Nabil Elaraby: “There is a political path which Kofi Annan is implementing. In order for this political path to succeed and for the aspirations of the Syrian people to be achieved, there must be an immediate ceasefire. That is what I have said, and I have requested for a binding Security Council resolution because of the recent developments. But this does not mean the use of force.”