Kofi Annan quits as UN-Arab League envoy
August 3rd, 2012 - 1:26 am ICT by IANSGeneva, Aug 2 (IANS) The UN-Arab League joint special envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan has announced about leaving his post, BBC reported Thursday.
Annan, in a news conference, said the Syrian people “desperately need action” but criticised the UN Security Council for “finger-pointing and name-calling”.
Annan authored a six-point peace plan for Syria aimed at bringing an end to the fighting. But the plan was never fully adhered to by either side — the Syrian government and the opposition — and the violence has continued to escalate.
Speaking to reporters in Geneva, 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”.
The problems were “compounded by the disunity of the international community”, he said.
The Syrian conflict, which began in March 2011, has already claimed up to 20,000 lives, according to Syrian activists, and the international community has failed to persuade the Assad government and opposition forces to stop fighting and begin dialogue.
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- Syria on brink of civil conflict: Lavrov - Jun 10, 2012
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- Syrian ceasefire first Step of Annan's plan: US - Apr 13, 2012
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- Russia calls for UN monitors to stay in Syria - Aug 03, 2012
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- US sees no Iranian role in ending Syrian violence - Jul 11, 2012
- Syria welcomes UN monitors, pitches for neutral BRICS - Apr 22, 2012
Tags: activists, arab league, assad, aug 2, bbc, circumstances, conflict, dialogue, disunity, finger pointing, geneva, kofi annan, news conference, opposition forces, point peace plan, syria, syrian government, un security council, unity, violence