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Algerian Lakhdar Brahimi appointed new UN Syria envoy Algerian Lakhdar Brahimi appointed new UN Syria envoy
(40 minutes later)
Veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi is the new UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, officials have confirmed.Veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi is the new UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, officials have confirmed.
The 78-year-old will succeed Kofi Annan, who resigned earlier this month after his six-point peace plan failed to achieve a meaningful ceasefire.The 78-year-old will succeed Kofi Annan, who resigned earlier this month after his six-point peace plan failed to achieve a meaningful ceasefire.
A former UN envoy in Afghanistan and Iraq, Mr Brahimi also negotiated the end of Lebanon's civil war.A former UN envoy in Afghanistan and Iraq, Mr Brahimi also negotiated the end of Lebanon's civil war.
The announcement comes one day after the UN called an end to its military observer mission in Syria.The announcement comes one day after the UN called an end to its military observer mission in Syria.
Mr Brahimi has held a long series of high-profile diplomatic posts.Mr Brahimi has held a long series of high-profile diplomatic posts.
As a senior Arab League official between 1984-91, he brokered an end to the Lebanese civil war, going on to serve as Algerian foreign minister between 1991-3.As a senior Arab League official between 1984-91, he brokered an end to the Lebanese civil war, going on to serve as Algerian foreign minister between 1991-3.
Later, he was twice appointed as the UN's top envoy for Afghanistan, from 1996-8 and from 2001-4. He has held similar roles for Haiti and South Africa.Later, he was twice appointed as the UN's top envoy for Afghanistan, from 1996-8 and from 2001-4. He has held similar roles for Haiti and South Africa.
A spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the UN welcomed Mr Brahimi's willingness to help stop "the violence and suffering in Syria".A spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the UN welcomed Mr Brahimi's willingness to help stop "the violence and suffering in Syria".
Announcing his resignation earlier this month, Mr Annan had said he was unable to fulfil his role because of the growing militarisation of the conflict, as well as the continuing deadlock over the issue in the UN Security Council. 'Might fail'
Announcing his resignation earlier this month, Mr Annan had said he was unable to fulfil his role because of the growing militarisation of the conflict, as well as the deadlock over the issue in the UN Security Council.
Russia and China have vetoed resolutions on the crisis three times, citing their opposition to any action which might be seen as regime change imposed from outside.
Co-operation was essential in order to find a peaceful resolution, Mr Brahimi told the BBC.
"There is no doubt that I will be able to do strictly nothing if I do not have the support and if I do not have the co-operation of the Syrians," he said.
But Mr Brahimi also insisted diplomatic efforts should not be abandoned: "These missions have to be undertaken. We have got to try. We have got to see that the Syrian people are not abandoned.
"I might very well fail but we sometimes are lucky and we can get a breakthrough."
Activists estimate about 20,000 people have died since anti-government protests erupted against the Assad regime in March last year. Tens of thousands of people have also fled the country.