Kofi Annan resigns as Syria Envoy
For the last 17 months, Mr. Kofi Annan, acting as a special envoy for both the United Nations and the Arab League, tried to find a peaceful solution in the Syrian conflict.
He announced his resignation with some bitterness and regret at the “intransigence” of the Syrian government and the “disunity” in the U.N. Security Council.
He came up with a six-point peace plan, but was ignored by the Syrian government. The conflict has now become a civil war between the al-Assad regime and resistance groups.
“Without serious, purposeful and united international pressure, including from the powers of the region, it is impossible for me, or anyone, to compel the Syrian government in the first place, and also the opposition, to take the steps necessary to begin a political process,” Mr. Annan was quoted by the New York Times as saying.
He said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must leave the country for more peaceful political transition in Syria.
“At a time when we need — when the Syrian people desperately need action, there continues to be finger-pointing and name-calling in the Security Council,” Mr. Annan also said, according to CNN.
Countries such as China, Russia, Brazil and India resisted a U.N. General Assembly resolution, preventing further diplomatic action to be taken against Assad.
Mr. Annan will serve until the end of August.
