UN General Assembly Regrets Kofi Annan’s Resignation 

Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser

NEW YORK : United Nations General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser has expressed regret over Kofi Annan’s announcement to resign as the UN-Arab League joint special envoy at the end of August, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

Al Nasser said that he understood how difficult Annan’s task had been. “Annan’s well-known experience, wisdom and worldwide credibility were invaluable assets in his difficult mission,” he added

In a statement released by his spokesperson, he commended Annan’s relentless efforts over the past five months to fulfill the mandate of the UN General Assembly.

Al Nasser urged the international community to fully unite to put an end to the violence in Syria and find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Annan announced his resignation on Thursday, saying that he was doing so because of the failure of what he said had become a “mission impossible.”

The former UN secretary general said it had been a “sacred duty” to take up the position five months ago to try to find a solution to the conflict. But growing militarisation and a lack of unity among world powers had changed the circumstances.

“At a time when we need – when the Syrian people desperately need action – there continues to be finger-pointing and name-calling in the (UN)security council,” Annan was reported to have said on Thursday at a news conference at the United Nations offices in Geneva.

“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.”