MORE UNCERTAINTY OVER SYRIA AS UN ENVOY QUITS

Date:

UN-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi speaks at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 13, 2014. Xinhua
UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi speaks at a press  meet in Geneva in February. Xinhua

UNITED NATIONS — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday announced resignation of Lakhdar Brahimi as the joint United Nations-Arab League Special Representative on the Syria crisis, terming it a “tragedy for the Syrian people” and a “failure” for the United Nations, reports IANS.

Making the announcement personally at a press briefing at the UN Headquarters, Ban said that the veteran diplomat, whom he described as one of the world’s most brilliant diplomats, would relinquish his post May 31 amidst an international community “hopelessly divided” over how to end more than three years of bloodshed in Syria.

In his statement on the UN website Tuesday, Ban said, “For nearly two years, Brahimi had sought an end to the brutal and still worsening civil war in Syria. Indeed, the 80-year old Algerian diplomat has faced almost impossible odds.”

Brahimi, who was appointed on Aug 17, 2012, took over the peace-facilitation role played by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

Brahimi said he was “very, very sad to leave Syria in such a bad state” but noted he had no doubt the secretary-general would do “everything humanly possible” to work with the UN Security Council, the Syrian parties and with neighbouring countries, to end the crisis.

“I am sure the crisis will end, but all [stakeholders] should consider how much more death, how much more destruction will occur… before Syria can become a new Syria,” he said.

The conflict in Syria, which began in March 2011, has led to well over 100,000 deaths, and more than 680,000 people have been injured, the statement said.

Responding to questions at the press conference, the UN chief said that he would continue consultations on the way forward and would make a decision later on Brahimi’s successor.

Brahimi was with the secretary-general as he made the announcement.

“Because of its nature, I want to make it in person,” Ban said.

Ban had earlier informed the Security Council of Brahimi’s resignation.

theclarionindia
theclarionindiahttps://clarionindia.net
Clarion India - News, Views and Insights about Indian Muslims, Dalits, Minorities, Women and Other Marginalised and Dispossessed Communities.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share post:

Subscribe

spot_imgspot_img

Popular

More like this
Related

Six Senior Pakistan Judges Detail Brazen Meddling in Letter to Judicial Council

Clarion India ISLAMABAD - In a startling letter written to...

SC Dismisses Objections to Cemetery Construction in Mumbai’s Bhimnagar

Residents withdraw petition following the apex court's stern observations. Team...

UP: Dalits Brutally Attacked During Holi, Police Under Fire for Slow Response

BSP supremo Mayawati has demanded stringent action against the...

Muslim Family Attacked Over Money Row: One Killed, 3 Injured in Rajasthan Village

Attackers storm the family’s house demanding outstanding debt. AIMIM,...