Annan's initiative for Syria

In an effort to rekindle hope that a political solution can be found to the Syrian crisis, Kofi Annan, the United Nations and Arab League joint special envoy, announced on Monday that he had agreed a new approach with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to ending the violence and he would share it with the opposition forces.

A world community that loves peace should cherish Annan's perseverance. As tensions in Syria intensify, keeping the political dialogue rolling is the only hope of preventing more humanitarian disasters in the country, which has been mired in violence for months. It is another window of opportunity for peace.

The international community should rally around Annan's new initiative, as they did when he proposed a six-point ceasefire plan in April. They should press all political forces in Syria to accept the olive branch.