NEW YORK TIMES: Lakhdar Brahimi, the veteran United Nations mediator tapped to help broker a political settlement in Syria, resigned on Tuesday, signaling the bleak prospects for peace in a conflict that has gone on for more than three years and claimed more than 150,000 lives.
“I have decided to accept the request of Lakhdar Brahimi to relinquish his duties,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters at a news briefing at the United Nations, with Mr. Brahimi standing beside him. Mr. Ban said the resignation was effective at the end of May…
His resignation came amid rising frustration with President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, who ignored Mr. Brahimi’s proposed agenda for talks and then scheduled a presidential election that will probably install him for another seven-year term. Top United Nations officials had expressed dismay at the move, saying the election would probably sabotage any further diplomacy… (more)
