New UN envoy Brahimi ‘scared’ by Syria conflict task
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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - New United Nations (UN)-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said on Friday that he was “scared” at the size of the task of ending the Syria conflict.
The former Algerian foreign minister spoke as he started meetings with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, UN ambassadors and other top officials before replacing Kofi Annan on Sept 1.
“When you called me, I told you that I was honoured, flattered, humbled and scared. I am still in that frame of mind,” Mr Brahimi told Mr Ban before their meeting at UN headquarters. “I will definitely give this my very, very best. I know a few people in Syria and in the region,” added Mr Brahimi, who as an Arab League envoy brokered the 1989 accord that ended Lebanon’s civil war.
Mr Ban said that the new envoy faced a “crucial task” as the Syrian war worsens. The UN leader made a new plea for the divided UN Security Council to unite behind Mr Brahimi.
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