US warns of failed Syrian peace plan

UNITED NATIONS – U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice says the worst and most likely scenario for Syria is that Kofi Annan's peace plan will fail, spreading conflict and creating a major crisis across the region.

Rice said Wednesday after a closed-door briefing to the U.N. Security Council by one of Annan's deputies, that Syrian government was unlikely to immediately implement the Annan plan.

If President Bashar Assad refuses to implement the peace plan, Rice said the U.N. Security Council should assume its responsibility and put additional pressure on Syria including sanctions. But Rice and other council diplomats said there is opposition from some members.