UN General Assembly president regrets Annan's resignation

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- President of the UN General Assembly Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser on Thursday expressed regrets at the resignation of Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab League joint special envoy for Syria.

In a statement released here by his spokesperson, Al-Nasser commended the relentless efforts of Annan over the past five months to fulfill the mandate of the UN General Assembly.

Al-Nasser said he understood how difficult Annan's task had been.

"Annan's well-known experience, wisdom and worldwide credibility were invaluable assets in his difficult mission," he added.

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon announced on Thursday the resignation of Annan, who was jointly appointed by the UN and the Arab League as a mediator to seek a peaceful resolution to the prolonged Syrian crisis.

At a press conference in Geneva, Annan said that without united international pressure, it was impossible for him and anyone else to compel the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition to take the steps necessary to begin a political process.

Al-Nasser once again called on the international community to fully unite to put an end to the violence in Syria and find a peaceful solution to the crisis. Enditem