Observer mission next step in Syria truce plan

As a fragile cease-fire takes hold in Syria, here's a look at compliance by both sides and what is to happen next under the six-point peace plan brokered by U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.

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COMPLIANCE

— Scattered violations have been reported since the truce went into effect at 6 a.m. Thursday, but the regime appears to have halted widespread attacks on opposition strongholds.

— Activists said regime forces fired live bullets and tear gas at protesters in some locations Friday, killing at least five people.

— Syrian forces have not withdrawn from population centers, as required under the Annan plan.

— The Syrian regime demands protesters obtain permits for rallies, though the Annan plan says Syrians must be allowed to hold peaceful protests.

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OBSERVERS

— Annan has asked the Security Council to quickly authorize deployment of an advance team of up to 30 unarmed observers to monitor compliance with the truce. If the truce holds, a larger mission with up to 250 members could follow.

— The U.S. and its allies want a Security Council vote on Friday to authorize the advance team and demand unrestricted access throughout Syria.

— Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the draft resolution on sending the team was longer and more complicated than he expected and that more negotiations would be needed.

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THE SYRIAN REGIME

President Bashar Assad's regime denies there is a popular uprising and portrays the violence of the past 13 months as a foreign-led conspiracy of criminals and Islamic militants. It accuses rebel fighters of truce violations, but has ignored demands for troop pullback.

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THE OPPOSITION

The opposition is skeptical of the regime's intentions after a year of crackdown on dissent and a string of broken promises. The opposition argues Assad is unlikely to fully comply with a peace plan that allows mass protests that could topple his regime.

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ANNAN'S PLAN

— Syria agrees to work with Annan in an "inclusive Syrian-led political process to address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people."

— Syria commits to stop fighting and immediately stop troop movements and use of heavy weapons in populated areas. Syria works with Annan to end all violence, under U.N. supervision. Annan will also seek commitments from the opposition to stop all fighting.

— Syria accepts and implements a daily two hour "humanitarian pause" to deliver aid and evacuate the injured.

— Syria commits to intensify prisoner releases and provide a list of detention centers.

— Syria commits to ensure freedom of movement for journalists "and a nondiscriminatory visa policy for them."

— Syria commits to "respect freedom of association and the right to demonstrate peacefully as legally guaranteed."