Annan Mission May be Last Chance to Avoid Syria Civil War – Medvedev

United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan mission is, perhaps,  Syria’s last chance to avoid protracted civil war, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday.

“We appreciate your efforts. Perhaps, it’s Syria’s last chance to avoid a bloody civil war. We are very hopeful that your work will have a positive result,” Medvedev said at a meeting with Annan who is in Moscow now.

Medvedev pledged that Russia will render any possible assistance to Annan’s mission.

Annan said his mission will strive to ensure access to humanitarian aid for those who need it so that peace can finally prevail in Syria.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted Annan’s six-point plan to end the bloody conflict in Syria, threatening unspecified "further steps" if it failed to comply. The plan calls for a ceasefire and demands swift access for aid agencies.

More than 8,000 people have been killed in Syria since protests against President Bashar al-Assad began a year ago.