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Algerian Diplomat To Replace Annan As New UN Syria Envoy

August 17, 2012

The United Nations says that Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi will take over from Kofi Annan as joint UN-Arab League envoy to Syria.

UN deputy spokesman Eduardo del Buey made the announcement at UN headquarters in New York.

The 78-year-old Brahimi, a former Algerian foreign minister, has worked in several high-profile positions at the UN, gaining a reputation as a tough, independent negotiator as envoy to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Haiti.

Brahimi also helped negotiate an end to Lebanon's civil war.

His appointment comes after Annan announced his resignation earlier this month after failing to achieve a cease-fire during his six-month tenure.

The UN Security Council announced on August 16 it would end the UN military observer mission in Syria, but said a civilian liaison office would remain in Damascus.

Meeting Called Off

Earlier on August 17, Russia called off a meeting of an international action group on the Syria conflict after Western countries revealed they would not attend.

Russia said the meeting at UN headquarters in New York, called by its UN envoy Vitaly Churkin, had been postponed.

Russian officials did not say whether a new date for the meeting would be set.

Russia expected the meeting to adopt a statement, which would set a cease-fire deadline for the Syrian government and opposition to halt the violence.

The move comes after U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on August 16 she did not see the point of the meeting.

Russia, as well as China, has vetoed three UN Security Council resolutions on Syria that condemned President Bashar al-Assad's actions and threatened sanctions.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and ITAR-TASS

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/brahimi- replaces-annan-as-syria-envoy/24680584.html

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Algerian Diplomat To Replace Annan As New UN Syria Envoy