U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan says he has reached a new understanding with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop the violence raging in Syria. Annan spoke after meeting Assad in Damascus.

Kofi Annan: “We discussed the need to end the violence and ways and means of doing so. We agreed an approach which we will also share with the — which I will share with the armed opposition. I also stressed the importance of moving ahead with a political dialogue, which the president accepts.”

Annan did not provide details of his new plan, which he says he will now take to Syria’s opposition. Before meeting with rebel groups, Annan flew to Tehran for talks with the Iranian government, whose involvement is opposed by the United States.