Al-Manar Correspondent cited on Friday a high-ranking official as saying that Syria would not pull back its forces from the towns without several guarantees from both the armed groups and UN envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.

Al-Manar Correspondent cited on Friday a high-ranking official as saying that Syria would not pull back its forces from the towns without several guarantees from both the armed groups and UN envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.

 The official said the Syrian forces would not pull back unless similar steps were done by armed groups, saying the army was not ready to be replaced by militants.

“We want guarantees from Annan and those who designate Annan, and if the other side doesn't abide by the ceasefire then we won't comply with”.
“Annan should also offer guarantees that countries which are arming militants and inciting will stop from doing that”, our correspondent quoted the official as saying.

The correspondent reported the situation was calm in Syria as the people were planning to go outside the capital, noting some violations by the armed groups to the ceasefire on Thursday.
However, the correspondent added, that Syria was giving time to the ceasefire to be implemented.