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Syrian conflict 'nearly impossible to resolve' Syrian conflict 'nearly impossible to resolve'
(35 minutes later)
Diplomatic attempts to end the Syrian conflict are "nearly impossible" and not enough is being done to end the fighting, the new United Nations and Arab League mediator, Lakhdar Brahimi, has said.Diplomatic attempts to end the Syrian conflict are "nearly impossible" and not enough is being done to end the fighting, the new United Nations and Arab League mediator, Lakhdar Brahimi, has said.
"I know how difficult it is – how nearly impossible. I can't say impossible – nearly impossible," Brahimi told the BBC."I know how difficult it is – how nearly impossible. I can't say impossible – nearly impossible," Brahimi told the BBC.
The Algerian diplomat said he was "scared of the weight of responsibility" on his shoulders and was aware that not enough was being done to end the violence through diplomacy.The Algerian diplomat said he was "scared of the weight of responsibility" on his shoulders and was aware that not enough was being done to end the violence through diplomacy.
"People are already saying: 'People are dying and what are you doing?' And we are not doing much. That in itself is a terrible weight," he said."People are already saying: 'People are dying and what are you doing?' And we are not doing much. That in itself is a terrible weight," he said.
Brahimi replaced Kofi Annan as the joint special representative on Syria at the end of August. Annan stepped down after blaming "finger-pointing and name-calling" at the UN security council for hampering efforts to find a breakthrough in the conflict.Brahimi replaced Kofi Annan as the joint special representative on Syria at the end of August. Annan stepped down after blaming "finger-pointing and name-calling" at the UN security council for hampering efforts to find a breakthrough in the conflict.
Around 20,000 people have been killed during the 17-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.Around 20,000 people have been killed during the 17-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.
Brahimi Brahimi said he felt like he was "standing in front of a brick wall", looking for cracks that may yield a solution. Brahimi said he felt like he was "standing in front of a brick wall", looking for cracks that may yield a solution.
"I'm coming into this job with my eyes open, and [with] no illusions," he said."I'm coming into this job with my eyes open, and [with] no illusions," he said.