Russia accuses Syrian rebels of intending to ruin peace plan

Russia has accused armed groups in Syria of conducting a large-scale campaign to cause Kofi Annan’s peace plan to fail by violating the UN-brokered ceasefire. Blaming terrorist groups for the recent surge in violence in Syria, Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday accused armed groups fighting against the Damascus government of attempting to ruin Annan’s plan in order to pave the way for foreign military intervention in the country. The attacks "in essence unleashed a large-scale campaign to destabilize the situation and disrupt ... Annan's plan," the foreign ministry said in a statement referring to an attack on Syria's central bank and triple bomb explosions in Idlib on Monday, which left at least 20 people dead. Russia also urged the international community not to let Annan's plan fail. "We believe it is the international community's task not to allow the disruption of implementation of the UN-Arab League envoy's plan. For our part, we will do everything that depends on us to (ensure) violence in Syria ends as soon as possible." According to a Security Council diplomat, if the UN-brokered truce fails, Russia and China, who have so far vetoed two anti-Syria resolutions, will have some responsibility to accept stronger measures, including tighter sanctions and an arms embargo, since they have vocally supported Annan's peace plan and backed it in Security Council votes. The diplomat said that could mean action under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which empowers the Security Council to impose sanctions or authorize military means to enforce its will.