Syria responds to Annan's proposal; rebel stronghold of Idlib seized

The U.N.-Arab League envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan, has received a response from Syrian authorities to proposals laid out in weekend meetings, officials said Wednesday, as opposition activists reported another day of bloodshed across the nation.

Annan "has questions and is seeking answers," said a statement by his spokesman.

"But given the grave and tragic situation on the ground, everyone must realize that time is of the essence. As he said in the region, this crisis cannot be allowed to drag on."