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Annan’s resignation advantageous for those who seek to use force in Syria – opinion

Vladimir Putin said he regretted Kofi Annan’s resignation from the position of a special representative of the UNaand the Arab League for Syria

MOSCOW, August 3 (Itar-Tass) —— The resignation of the special envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syrian settlement Kofi Annan will obviously play in the hands of those who seek to let off the leash for the use of force in that country, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said.

“Kofi Annan is a honest international mediator but there are those who seek to have him off in order to free their hands for force actions. It is evident,” Gatilov wrote in his Twitter microblog.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was visiting Britain, said he regretted Kofi Annan’s resignation from the position of a special representative of the United Nations and the Arab League for Syria.

He added however he hoped the international community would continue its efforts to settle the situation in Syria.

"It's really a great pity," Putin said when Itar-Tass asked him to comment on Kofi Annan's declared resignation. "Mr. Annan is a dignified person and a brilliant diplomat and that's why I really feel sorry for this."

"Still I hope the international community will continue efforts towards stopping violence in Syria," he said adding that the situation in that country is "tragic".