Introduction to the evening news 10-04-2012

It is as if the entire world is in a state of diplomatic high alert, especially in the decision-making capitals around the globe. The reason for this state of alarm? Syria.           

Washington announced that it would cooperate with international partners to decide on future steps against Damascus if it fails to commit to Annan’s plan.            

While Moscow urged Annan to intensify pressure on the Syrian opposition, Paris considered the regime’s commitment to the ceasefire as “a blatant lie”        

The EU representatives to the UN accused Damascus of failing to implement the peace plan.          

This global schism between Washington and some European capitals on one hand and Moscow on the other makes Annan’s mission much more complex and difficult.  However, what is almost certain is that the first day of Annan’s ceasefire does not bode well for its successful implementation.         

In a race against time, several players are shuffling across the game board to reinforce their side of the schism. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will appear in Saudi Arabia on Friday while Annan will head to Tehran following his stop in Turkey where Syrian refugees greeted him with the Syrian rebel flags.          

In the field, while the Syrian regime announced that they have begun withdrawing troops from some regions, the spokesperson for the Free Syrian Army said, “we do not trust the regime, if they fail to stop the shelling and withdraw mechanized forces in the next 48 hours, we will intensify military operations and attacks.         

In Lebanon, the martyrdom of Al-Jadeed TV cameraman made all other domestic developments seem secondary. Lebanese officials, across the spectrum, denounced the killing and called for the protection of members of the press.