Annan Receives Syrian Response, Seeks further Answers

International mediator Kofi Annan confirmed Wednesday that he has received a response from the Syrian regime, after he made "concrete" proposals earlier to Damascus on ways to halt the crisis.

"The Joint Special Envoy (JSE) for Syria Kofi Annan has now received a response from the Syrian authorities. The JSE has questions and is seeking answers," said his spokesman in a statement.

"But given the grave and tragic situation on the ground, everyone must realize that time is of the essence. As he said in the region, this crisis cannot be allowed to drag on," he added.

Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus over the weekend on the 12-month crisis that has killed more than 8,500 people, mostly civilians, according to activists.