UN envoy Annan may urge powers to 'twist arms' to halt Syria violence

GENEVA - A spokesman for Kofi Annan says the U.N.'s envoy on Syria could be forced to ask governments with influence to "twist arms" to enforce the peace plan for the country.

Ahmad Fawzi told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that escalating violence in Syria mirrors the spike in fighting that occurred shortly before a ceasefire plan was agreed in April.

Fawzi says that with sectarian violence rising and spilling over into neighbouring Lebanon, Annan is pushing countries with influence "to put irrevocable pressure on the parties to implement the plan and stop the killing."