Kofi Annan makes fresh Syria ceasefire plea

Fresh clashes have broken out in Syria despite the passing of a UN-backed deadline for a complete withdrawal of government troops and weapons.

The peace plan was negotiated by the UN and Arab League's special envoy on the Syrian crisis Kofi Annan.

Syrian troops were to have completed their withdrawal from population centres and stopped the use of heavy weaponry by Tuesday, ahead of a full ceasefire on Thursday.

Speaking in Turkey, Mr Annan said: "Let me again appeal to the Syrian government and the Syrian parties to cease violence in accordance with the plan".