Syria has accepted Kofi Annan’s peace plan, his spokesman said, adding that the UN-Arab League envoy has described the response as positive.

"The Syrian government has written to the Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan accepting his six-point plan, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council," spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said in a statement.

"He does of course view it as a positive development but the key is in the implementation," AFP quoted Fawzi as saying.

"Mr Annan views this as an important initial step that could bring an end to the violence and the bloodshed, provide aid to the suffering, and create an environment conducive to a political dialogue that would fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people," he said.

Annan has written to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad asking Damascus to "put its commitments into immediate effect".
Annan's plan calls for a UN-supervised halt to fighting, with the government pulling troops and heavy weapons out of protest cities, a daily two-hour humanitarian ceasefire and access to all areas affected by the fighting.

He also urged the release of people detained over the past year of the crisis.
"Mr Annan has stressed that implementation will be key, not only for the Syrian people, who are caught in the middle of this tragedy, but also for the region and the international community as a whole," Fawzi said further.

"As the Syrian government acts on its commitments, Mr Annan will move urgently to work with all parties to secure implementation of the plan at all levels."

The envoy also urged "key countries to support this development and help ensure its effective implementation."
Annan is meeting Chinese leaders in Beijing Tuesday after visiting Russia over the weekend and obtaining Moscow's full backing for his plan.