Syria crisis: Kofi Annan quits as UN-Arab League envoy

Source: BBC News

2 August 2012

The UN-Arab League joint special envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan has announced he is leaving his post.

In a news conference, he said the Syrian people “desperately need action” but criticised the UN Security Council for “finger-pointing and name-calling”.

Mr Annan authored a six-point peace plan for Syria which was intended to bring an end to the fighting.

But the plan was never fully adhered to by either side and the violence has continued to escalate.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said it was “with deep regret” that he announced Mr Annan would not renew his mandate when it expires at the end of August.

The Syrian foreign ministry also expressed regret at the announcement, state TV reported.

Speaking in Geneva, Mr Annan said the increasing militarisation of the Syrian conflict and the “clear lack of unity” in the Security Council had “fundamentally changed the circumstances for the effective exercise of my role”.

He said the problems were “compounded by the disunity of the international community”.

Commenting on the resignation, Ribal Al-Assad, Director of the ODFS, said:

“We are very saddened to hear that Kofi Annan is stepping down from his post at the end of the month. Unfortunately the parties to the conflict and some states in the region undermined his peace plan by not acting in good faith. His peace plan was not adhered to by both sides who have escalated the violence. The arming of the opposition by other states in the Middle East is not consistent with supporting a ceasefire and has led to a greater militarisation of the conflict, which is disastrous.

“Diplomacy has failed so far but it is not dead. If a greater loss of life and destruction leading to a major calamity in Syria and the region is to be avoided then all parties- the regime, the opposition and their outside backers must act in good faith and support diplomacy to bring about a peaceful end to the crisis. This is the only way to start a political process leading to a peaceful inclusive democratic transition to a national unity government and democracy and freedom.

“For the sake of Syria and its people, I call on all the Syrian opposition to unite onto one platform and work together for a peaceful solution as a continuation of the violence could lead to the disintegration of Syria and its society, where everyone will lose out.”