BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his disappointment following Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s televised speech. Sunday’s address outlined a peace plan, but dismissed any chance of dialogue with the armed opposition.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said on Monday the secretary-general was disappointed that Assad had not offered a solution that would end the suffering of the Syrian people.

Ban also regretted Assad’s rejection of the most important elements of the Geneva Communique of 30 June 2012, which projected a political transition, and the establishment of a transitional governing body.

Nesirky says Ban and UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will continue to work for a political transition leading to elections overseen by the UN.

(Source: CNTV.cn)