Annan’s possible successor urges united action on Syria

One of the leading candidates to replace Kofi Annan as the UN’s special envoy to Syria called on the international community on Friday to work together to guarantee a speedy transition of power in Damascus.

Former Algerian diplomat and longtime UN official Lakhdar Brahimi wrote on the human rights website The Elders that “Syrians must come together as a nation in the quest for a new formula” in order to ensure a peaceful society “not based on fear of reprisal, but on tolerance.”

“In the meantime, the UN Security Council and regional states must unite to ensure that a political transition can take place as soon as possible,” Brahimi wrote.

The statement was Brahimi’s first since anonymous diplomats on Thursday indicated that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon would likely choose him to succeed Annan, following Annan’s resignation earlier this month.

Annan blamed the UN Security Council for the lack of action vis-à-vis Syria in a statement to reporters following his resignation. “When the Syrian people desperately need action, there continues to be finger pointing and name calling in the Security Council,” he said.

Brahimi belongs to The Elders, a group of independent veteran diplomats including Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter and Kofi Annan, that describes its mission as “working together for peace and human rights.”

The UN secretary general did not comment on the veracity of rumors that Brahimi will succeed Annan.