Syrian information minister criticizes West for rejecting Bashar Assad's peace plan

BEIRUT – Syria's information minister has slammed the international community for rejecting a proposal by President Bashar Assad aimed at ending the country's civil war.

Omran al-Zoubi says countries like the United States and its Western allies, who have called on Assad to step down since the uprising against his rule began in March 2011, have dismissed Assad's initiative "before even having the time to translate it."

Al-Zoubani was speaking in Damascus late Tuesday after an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the proposal.

In a rare speech Sunday, Assad outlined his vision for ending almost two years of bloodshed with a plan that would keep him in power. He called for dialogue, but only with those "who have not betrayed Syria."

The opposition rejected the offer, which also drew harsh international criticism.