International envoy Kofi Annan raised hopes of a revived peace effort in Syria, saying he has reached a framework with President Bashar Assad and would hold talks with rebel leaders.

Mr Annan was traveling to Damascus’ key ally Iran later on Monday for talks with leaders there.

Mr Annan is the architect of an international plan to end Syria’s 16-month-old crisis, which started with largely peaceful protests calling for reforms but has since transformed into a bloody insurgency to topple the Assad regime.