Al Arabiya, , 05 April 2012 – In a Security Council meeting on Thursday, Annan said the Syrian army and rebels must end all violence by 6 a.m. Syrian time on April 12 if the government meets its agreed deadline to halt fighting two days earlier.

Annan said “alarming levels” of casualties are still reported in Syria.

“I urge the government and the opposition commanders to issue clear instructions so that the message reaches across the country, down to the fighter and soldier at the local level,” Annan told the U.N. General Assembly.

A statement released by the Security Council called on the Syrian regime to cease troop movements towards population centers and cease the use of heavy weapons in such areas. The statement by the 15-nation council also “calls upon the Syrian government to implement urgently and visibly its commitments” made to Annan to take the steps toward a cessation of hostilities.