Syria army to withdraw from cities 'once secure'

The Syrian army will withdraw from urban areas "once peace and security prevail," foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdisi said in comments carried by state media on Saturday.

"The presence of the Syrian Arab army in Syrian cities is for defensive purposes (so) as to protect the civilians," Makdisi was quoted as saying by the official SANA news agency.

"Once peace and security prevail, the army is to pull out," he added.

The spokesperson added that the bid to overthrow Syria's government is over, and the battle now is to secure stability.

"The battle to topple the state is over, and the battle to solidify stability... and move on towards a renewed Syria has begun," Makdisi was cited as saying by the official SANA news agency.

Makdisi said that the focus of President Bashar al-Assad's government was also to "rally visions behind the reform process" and "prevent those who seek to sabotage reform."

The declaration was made in an interview originally carried on Syrian television.

SANA said that Makdisi made the appearance on television in a bid to explain to Syrians why the government accepted a peace plan drawn up by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.

Annan appealed for an immediate ceasefire on Friday, as monitors said at least 39 people all but seven of them civilians were killed across Syria as security forces sought to crush a year-long uprising.