Singapore: Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said the way out of the Syrian crisis is to move fighters from the military front to the negotiating table.
But he said to move this solution forward, differences within the UN Security Council need to be bridged. This requires leadership and goodwill among its members.
Mr Annan was speaking at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on Wednesday.
He also reiterated his belief that Iran, given its influence in Syria, should have a role in the solution.
“I know some countries have difficulties with Iran, but you don’t make peace with your friends, you make peace and reach out to the countries that can make a difference,” he said.
UN Security Council members are split over the Syrian crisis, with repeated veteos of Russia and China against Western and Arab-backed action against the Syrian regime of President Bashar Al Assad.