Syria pledges to safeguard reforms amid calls for quick implementation of peace plan (2)

"China welcomes the positive response from the Syrian government to Annan's proposal. At the same time, we urge the opposition to give a prompt and practical response to the peace plan, to create conditions for ending violence and initiating political dialogue," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei at a regular press briefing.

"We hope the Syrian government will implement their commitments as soon as possible," Hong added.

On the same day, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country was thinking about how it could help end the turmoil in Syria.

"Everybody has to do something. Turkey can not remain indifferent as a country that has (a) 910-km border with Syria," Erdogan said.

The Turkish prime minister said he hoped the "Friends of Syria" meeting, to be held Sunday in Istanbul, would be helpful.

Russia hailed the results of an Arab League summit in Iraq, saying they confirmed the AL's desire to play an active role in seeking political and diplomatic solutions to acute international and regional problems.

"Moscow hails this attitude and reaffirms its interest in building up collaboration with the AL in the interests of lasting peace and security," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Arab leaders wrapped up a summit on Thursday after approving a final statement, calling on the Syrian government to immediately stop violence, withdraw forces and start talks with the opposition based on Annan's peace plan.

Annan also urged the Syrian government to lay down weapons and implement the peace plan immediately, his spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said Friday.

"The deadline is now," Fawzi told reporters in Geneva.