Annan says Syria must show it wants peace

International mediator Kofi Annan said on Monday he was horrified by the killings in the Syrian town of Houla and urged the Syrian government to take bold steps to show it was serious about reaching a peaceful solution to the country's crisis.

Speaking shortly after arriving in Damascus, Annan said he expected to have "serious and frank discussions" with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The two men are due to meet on Tuesday, according to the Syrian Foreign Ministry. (Reuters)