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Russia still unaware about Annan’s possible successor

The source in the Russian Foreign Ministry also noted that “the UN mission in Syria, probably reformatted,” should be continued

MOSCOW, August 3 (Itar-Tass) — Russia is still unaware about a possible successor to UN and LAS special envoy for Syria Kofi Annan, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry told Itar-Tass on Friday.

“We regret about Annan’s resignation, but the efforts should be continued. Russia did its best to support his mission,” the Russian diplomatic source said. “We initiated many political steps in this sphere, particularly in the UN Security Council. The Geneva communiqu· is the result of our efforts. The fact that the Russian leadership received Kofi Annan twice in Moscow is much telling. No one did so,” the source recalled.

“In the current situation we believe that diplomatic efforts should be continued. There is no other way out. Unfortunately, the reality in the world does not give any reasons for special joy,” he said.

“UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon intends to appoint a new special envoy. This is right, this is a necessary step,” the source said. Meanwhile, he emphasized that Moscow is still unaware who can be a new special envoy. “This is in the power of the UN general secretary. This is his prerogative,” he noted.

The source in the Russian Foreign Ministry also noted that “the UN mission in Syria, probably reformatted,” should be continued. “The staying of the mission is very important, because this is the only source of unbiased information about the events in the country. Despite all difficulties the mission exerts some deterring influence and contributes to the international humanitarian aid,” he underlined.