Annan set to meet Syrian leader Assad

Annan's plan to end the country's conflict has been overshadowed by international revulsion at Friday's massacre in the Houla region.

Annan called the massacre "an appalling moment with profound consequences".

Annan said the Syrian government has to take "bold steps" to show it is serious about peace.

He said his "message of peace is not only for the government, but for everyone with a gun".

The former UN secretary general will be pressing President Assad to make good on earlier promises, and much will depend on the position taken by Syria's main international ally and diplomatic protector, Russia, the BBC reported.

On Monday Annan held talks with Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and the head of the UN observer mission in Syria, Major General Robert Mood.

Under Annan's plan, both sides were to stop fighting on 12 April ahead of the deployment of monitors, and the government was to withdraw tanks and forces from civilian areas.

Russia, which has twice blocked UN Security Council resolutions backing action against the Damascus government, said on Monday that both sides bore responsibility for Friday's massacre.

Western leaders have expressed horror at the killings, and the UK, France and US have all begun moves to raise diplomatic pressure on the Assad government.

France is convening another meeting of the so-called Friends of Syria group, which Russia does not take part in.