Former Algerian foreign minister Lakhdar Brahimi has been appointed the new UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, an appointment that has been hailed internationally.
Brahimi, who is on the Advisory Council for the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace & Justice, succeeds Kofi Annan who resigned earlier this month from the role.
The appointment of the 78-year-old Nobel Peace laureate was welcomed by the UK, US, Russia and China, who stated that they will,
“support and cooperate positively with Mr Brahimi's efforts at political mediation,"
Alistair Burt, a junior British foreign minister said Brahimi had the UK’s support, stating,
"I hope the international community will join together in lending its full support to Mr Brahimi to work with all sides in the Syrian conflict to end the months of bloodshed."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said,
"My message to special envoy Brahimi is simple: The United States stands ready to support you and secure a lasting peace that upholds the legitimate aspirations for a representative government of the people of Syria".
Russia also welcomed the Brahimi stepping up to the role, commenting that it was "ready for close interaction with the new special representative ... with the aim of overcoming the crisis in Syria".
But Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also warned,
"Political dialogue will not start, at least these efforts will not lead to a final result if violence does not cease. And that does not depend on Brahimi".
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