Kofi Annan resigns as envoy to Syria

UNITED NATIONS — Kofi Annan, the U.N.-Arab League envoy for Syria, said Thursday that he will step down from his post at the end of the month, departing

with a stinging criticism of the international community and warring parties for not stopping the violence in the war-torn country.

Annan’s resignation deals a decisive blow to the already faltering international efforts to find a diplomatic solution to a crisis that has left more than

14,000 dead and pitched the country into deepening civil war.


The announcement came as Syria braced for a major armed clash between the government and rebels in the contested city of Aleppo, U.N. officials said. “We

have reason to believe the main battle is about to start,” the U.N.’s peacekeeping chief told reporters after briefing the UN Security Council on Thursday.

At an impromptu news conference in Geneva, Annan said the international community and Security Council had not supported his efforts to enforce a cease-fire

and bring about a transition of power.

“When the Syrian people desperately need action, there continues to be finger-pointing and name-calling in the Security Council,” the former U.N. secretary

general said, according to a transcript. “It is impossible for me or anyone to compel the Syrian government and also the opposition to take the steps to

bring about the political process.”

Annan’s sudden resignation was announced in New York by Ban Ki-moon, the U.N. secretary general. He said that he had accepted Annan’s request to leave with

“deep regret” and that he will mount a search for a replacement.

In announcing Annan’s resignation, the U.N. chief faulted both the government of President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian opposition for refusing to embrace

Annan’s six-point peace plan. He also accused the Security Council of not providing Annan with the political backing he needed to succeed.

“Tragically, the spiral of violence in Syria is continuing,” Ban said in a statement released from U.N. headquarters. “The hand extended to turn away from

violence in favor of dialogue and diplomacy — as spelled out in the six-point plan — has not been not taken, even though it still remains the best hope for

the people of Syria.”

On Thursday morning, Syrian rebels attacked a military air base about 20 miles north of Aleppo with captured tanks, perhaps the first time rebels have

attempted a sophisticated assault with heavy weaponry and a clear sign that the battle between opposition fighters and the government is escalating.

The attack began when rebel forces used three tanks to blast the Menagh airbase from a distance. “There was confusion in the airport and several wounded,”

said Col. Malik Kurdi, the deputy commander of the Free Syrian Army. “But the operation did not achieve the goals we planned and we were not able to occupy

the airport.”

The Menagh airport is the base for the helicopters that are used in daily attacks in Aleppo and Idlib. The rebels want to take over the airbase so they can

safely send more fighters into Aleppo, Kurdi said. “Controlling this airport would protect the back of the Free Syrian Army when we attack and progress to

the city of Aleppo,” he said.