New UN Envoy: Syria Mission 'Nearly Impossible'

Syrian President Bashar Assad (R) with ex Algerian Foreign Minister Lakhdar Brahimi (L), ex US President Jimmy Carter (2ndR), ex Irish President Mari Robinson (2ndL) and Indian activist Ela Bhatt (C), members of the Elders group, in Damascus, Oct 2010. EP

Lakhdar Brahimi, UN's new envoy to Syria, has admitted that  his mission to end the country's civil war is "very, very difficult."

"I'm coming into this job with my eyes open, and no illusions," Brahimi told BBC on Monday.

"I know how difficult it is - how nearly impossible. I can't say impossible - [it is] nearly impossible.

His statement came as activists said Syrian warplanes bombed the northern town of Al-Bab, killing at least 15 people.

Brahimi replaced Kofi Annan, a former UN Secretary General who introduced in February a peace plan for Syria that was endorsed by Russia, but ignored by both the Syrian government and the opposition.

In his interview for BBC, Brahimi said he had so far failed to see "any cracks" in the "brick wall" that had defeated his predecessor- an "intransigent" Syrian government, escalating rebel violence and a paralysed UN Security Council, where China and Russia have vetoed several resolutions aimed at putting pressure on Damascus.

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