Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan called for an end to the killing in Syria after an Assad official said part of Homs would be "cleansed."

The newly appointed UN-Arab League joint special envoy for Syria said he plans to travel to Damascus "soon."

Kofi Annan called for peace in Syria (Wikimedia Commons)

Annan, from Radio Free Europe Radio Library:

"It is a very difficult assignment. It's a tough challenge... and the first thing we need to do as the secretary-general has said is to do everything we can to stop the violence and the killing to facilitate humanitarian access and ensure that the needy are looked after and work with the Syrians in coming up with a peaceful solution which respects the aspirations and eventually stabilize the country."

The state of Homs - a day after an attack by al-Assad's regime forces on the city - was unclear Thursday, following what opposition forces were calling a communications blackout, CNN reported.

The United Nations estimates 6,000 or more have been killed in the Syrian conflict.

Annan heads to Cairo this weekend to meet with Arab League chiefs.  He was appointed joint special envoy Thursday of last week.