UN envoy Brahimi says Syria mission ‘nearly impossible’
New UN-Arab League envoy on Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, has given a deeply pessimistic view of the task ahead of him, as he takes up his new post. The Algerian has described his mission as “nearly impossible”. Mr Brahimi, a seasoned UN diplomat, was appointed after his predecessor, Kofi Annan, resigned saying he no longer saw a way to fulfil his mission. Fighting in Syria has escalated, despite a truce mediated by Mr Annan. Activists say 20,000 people have died since the uprising against the Syrian government began last March. The pro-rebel Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that more than 5,000 people were killed in August alone. Meanwhile, Two bombs exploded near the Syrian military’s joint chiefs of staff’s offices in central Damascus yesterday. Four army officers were lightly injured. State Television said that damage was caused to a building and cars.
