Syrian activists say violence nationwide killed 17 people Friday as discussions continued on ways to end the crisis.International envoy Kofi Annan called for additional pressure on the Syrian government even as he met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington.
"Everyone is looking for a solution," said Annan. "Some say the plan may be dead. Is the problem the plan or the problem the implementation? If it's implementation, how do we get action on that?"
The uprising in Syria:
  • March 2011: First protests erupt, dozens killed. Government announces reforms, then resigns.
  • April, May 2011: Protests intensify and spread, hundreds killed. U.S. imposes sanctions on top leaders.
  • August, September 2011: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain withdraw ambassadors. U.S. imposes economic sanctions, EU bans Syrian oil imports.
  • October 2011: Russia, China veto a U.N. resolution condemning Syria.
  • November 2011: The Arab League suspends Syria's membership.
  • January 2012: Government releases 5,000 prisoners. Death toll soars past 7,000.
  • February 2012: Russia, China veto a second U.N. resolution condemning crackdown.
  • March 2012: Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan holds talks in Syria. U.N. says death toll exceeds 9,000. Syria agrees to U.N.-backed peace plan.
  • April 2012: Syria says it will abide by a cease-fire on April 12, but violence continues. U.N. observers arrive.
  • May 2012: Syria holds parliamentary elections, violence continues, U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan appeals to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop the violence.
  • June 2012: Western nations expel Syrian diplomats, Mr. Annan urges increased pressure on Syria.