The violence in Syria cannot be averted by means of traditional observers, believes UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan. Therefore the UN is preparing a peace-keeping mission with a “broad and flexible mandate” to ensure the conflict ends April 12.

­“What we would need on the ground is a small nimble United Nations presence,” Annan announced during a video-conference briefing from Geneva.

He further told the UN General Assembly that this force would need to be deployed quickly with a broad and flexible mandate, with its freedom of movement throughout the country and security assured. Annan said it should engage all relevant parties and “constantly and rapidly observe, establish and assess facts and conditions on the ground in an objective manner.”