The Arab League has given backing to a plan by international envoy Kofi Annan for a ceasefire in Syria. At a meeting in Baghdad, Arab League foreign ministers said they backed Annan’s six-point proposal that includes a withdrawal of Syrian forces from heavily populated areas. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he accepts the plan, but fighting has continued. Speaking in Kuwait, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he will work with the Arab League to push for a ceasefire.

Ban Ki-moon: “Now I am going to meet with key leaders in Baghdad and discuss with them how United Nations and League of Arab States can work together in helping (the) joint special envoy’s diplomatic efforts to get this six-point proposal implemented, as was pledged by President Assad.”