Assad and Annan had a constructive talk

UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, has said he has held "very candid and constructive" talks with President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, reports the BBC.

He told reporters they had "agreed an approach" to end the violence, and he would share this with rebel groups.

"We agreed an approach which I will share with the opposition," he told reporters. Once again, Annan stressed the important of halting violence and promoting political dialogue -- the key points of the plan he put forward in April, the Reuters reports.

Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said in a Twitter message: "In both meetings we reassured Annan of Syria's commitment to implement the 6-points Plan and hoped other side is mutually committed."