BBC News with Sue Montgomery
The United Nations and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has told President Bashar al-Assad of Syria that he's extremely worried about the violence there. The UN said Mr Annan, who is in Damascus, suggested a complete ceasefire">ceasefire and talks between the government and the opposition. President Assad rejected any dialogue while opposition forces are fighting for an end to his rule. Jon Donnison reports.
Kofi Annan met President Assad for around two hours - his mission to deliver a plan to bring an end to a year of violence - but Mr Annan's two main aims - a
ceasefire
by both sides eventually leading to political dialogue - seem at least in the short-term unlikely. President Assad said no political talks would take place as long as what he called "terrorists" continued to spread
chaos
. Such words and the Syrian leader's statement that he's ready for honest peace efforts will
outrage
many anti-government activists.
Five Taliban leaders held in the US
detention
centre in Guantanamo Bay have agreed to be transferred to the Gulf state of Qatar. The move approved by Afghan officials would be a key step towards peace talks between the Afghan government and the
insurgents
, which
in turn
would allow American troops to leave in 2014 as planned, but the transfer will also need support from the US Congress.
A series of explosions has killed at least four people and wounded many others in the centre of the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Many of the injured are said to be in a critical condition. Will Ross reports from Nairobi.