International peace envoy Kofi Annan says Syria has accepted his plan to end violence in the country. A spokesman for Mr. Annan said Tuesday Syria's response came in a letter to the U.N.-Arab League envoy. Mr. Annan met with Chinese officials Tuesday in Beijing, including Premier Wen Jiabao, as China pledged to support his mediation efforts.
The plan calls on Syrian government forces and rebels to agree on a cease-fire and engage in dialogue. The blueprint, endorsed by the U.N. Security Council, does not include a Western and Arab demand for President Bashar al-Assad to resign - a requirement that Russia and China oppose. U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said Tuesday there is a basic structure in place to discuss with Russia and China what they can do to support Mr. Annan.