Talks to end Syria crisis deadlocked

BEIRUT -- An international push to end Syria's conflict stalled yesterday as UN envoy Kofi Annan left Damascus without a cease-fire and President Bashar Assad's forces pounded opposition areas and clashed with rebels across the country.

Western and Arab powers are struggling for ways to stem the bloodshed in the year-old conflict while both the regime and the opposition reject dialogue. Annan, the former UN secretary general, appeared to have made little progress in two visits with Assad during his first trip to Syria as the joint UN-Arab League envoy.

Annan was seeking an immediate cease-fire to allow for humanitarian aid and the start of a dialogue on a political solution. After meeting with Assad yesterday, Annan said he had presented steps to ease the crisis, but he gave no details.

He called for "reforms that will create a strong foundation for a democratic Syria -- a peaceful, stable, pluralistic and prosperous society, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights." But he said a cease-fire must come first.

Assad told Annan a political solution is impossible as long as "terrorist groups" threaten the country, according to Syria's state news service -- which reported identical comments after the men met Saturday.

Annan's calls for reform also fall far short of opposition calls for Assad's ouster and the end of his authoritarian regime. Opposition leaders say the thousands killed at the hands of his security forces, many while protesting peacefully, means they'll accept nothing less.