Annan "optimistic" on Syria ahead of talks

A Turkish missile launcher near the Syrian border - evidence of a military build-up as tension between the neighbours heightens.

Syria raised the stakes when it shot down a Turkish warplane over the Mediterranean a week ago.

Local Turkish residents are worried. But this man says the increased military presence is reassuring.

Meanwhile international peace envoy Kofi Annan is optimistic about Saturday's foreign ministers' meeting in Geneva that seeks to solve the crisis.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR, KOFI ANNAN ARRIVING, SAYING:

"We're going to have a good meeting tomorrow. I am optimistic.''

But diplomats say disagreement remains between the U.S., Britain and France on the one hand and Russia on the other, which proposed changes to Annan's plan for a national unity government.

Speaking at UN headquarters Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon says he still has hopes of reviving the six-point peace plan that has failed to end the fighting between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces and an increasingly militarised opposition.

Lily Grimes, Reuters