Brahimi Thinks He “Should Resign”, But He Hasn’t “So Far”

Sunday, 21 April 2013

Brahimi Thinks He “Should Resign”, But He Hasn’t “So Far”

Despite strained relations with Arab League over stance from Syria crisis, International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi denied on Friday reports of his intention to hand over his resignation.

However the

Algerian diplomat, during his report on the two-year old crisis at the United Nations Security Council session, didn’t deny his frustration from the Arab bloc.

“I haven’t resigned. Every day I wake up, I think I should resign, but I haven’t so far,” Brahimi told reporters at the U.N. headquarters in New York.
Speculation that Brahimi would give up his post or at least break ties with the Arab League reached a peak this week in the wake of a controversy over the Arab League recognizing the Syrian opposition as the “legitimate government” in that country, a move some say that threatens to compromise Brahimi’s neutrality in the conflict.

Despite reports from U.N. diplomats that Brahimi wishes to distance himself from the Arab League, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged earlier this week that he should not sever his ties, saying “it is very important that the United Nations works together with the League of Arab States.”
Brahimi briefed the Security Council Friday to update members on the Syrian conflict. He said he made little headway in discussions with the Syrian delegation this week, but admitted some progress in breaking the stalemate between American and Russian diplomats on the issue.

“The Security Council is very much aware that this is an extremely serious problem, as a matter of fact the most serious crisis. And if they really believe that they are in charge of looking at peace and security, there is no time for them to lose,” the Algerian troubleshooter added.