(VOVworld)-Syria has accepted a 6-point peace proposal put forward by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan. The move is seen as light at the end of the tunnel for the year-long crisis in Syria.

President Bashar al-Assad (C) addressing soldiers in the city of Homs. (Source: AFP)

The Syrian government’s acceptance of the peace plan is considered a diplomatic breakthrough as Syria teeters on the brink of a civil war. Prior to his departure for the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the Annan proposal may be the last chance for Syria. What has happened in the past few days indicates that President Bashar al-Assad wants to cool down the heat, which is already at the flashpoint.

The Annan plan demands that the Syrian government stop fighting and immediately end troop movements and use of heavy weapons in populated areas. As these actions are being taken, Syria should work with Annan to end all violence under UN supervision and Annan will seek similar commitments from the opposition. Syria is also asked to implement a daily two-hour "humanitarian pause", release persons detained over the past year and prepare for political dialogue with the opposition. The latest proposal is different from previous Western-initiated peace plans in that it neither sets a deadline for implementation nor calls on President Bashar Al-Assad to step down. Mr. Annan has said only Syrians can determine the destiny of their President. The opposition has reacted positively to the Annan proposal. On Wednesday, they designated the Syrian National Council as their representative and called on President Assad to withdraw tanks to show his goodwill.

The international community has applauded the Syrian government’s acceptance of the Annan peace plan. The US called it an important step but said the proof will be the actions of Mr Assad’s regime. Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague said the decision represents a significant first step towards ending the violence, but only if it is genuinely and seriously meant. German ambassador to the UN Peter Wittig said Syria’s actions will prove their goodwill, while Mohammed Loulichki, Morocco's permanent representative to the UN, said he hopes this will be the beginning of a dynamic that will trigger good news for the Security Council.

More than 9,000 Syrians have been killed over the past year of violence and many Syrians now lack daily necessities and medical care. The al-Assad government’s acceptance of the peace plan will above all pave the way for international aid distribution. The encouraging initial success of Mr. Anna’s efforts should create the momentum to end the violence and reconcile Syria’s factions. But goodwill and determination from all parties concerned are crucial.