Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria Kofi Annan condemned Sunday the surge in violence in several towns and villages in Syria, which was "in violation of assurances" given to him.

"As we get closer to the Tuesday 10 April deadline, I remind the Syrian Government of the need for full implementation of its commitments and stress that the present escalation of violence is unacceptable," Annan said in a statement.

He once again called on both the Syrian government and the opposition to cease all forms of violence by 0600 Damascus time Thursday 12 April.

"I am in constant contact with the Syrian government and ask all States with influence on the parties to use it now to ensure an end to the bloodshed and the beginning of dialogue," he said.