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UN and Arab League appoint deputy joint envoy for Syria

Kofi Annan (right) with Nasser Al Kidwa on 30 November 2005.
UN Photo/Mark Garten
Kofi Annan (right) with Nasser Al Kidwa on 30 November 2005.

UN and Arab League appoint deputy joint envoy for Syria

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his League of Arab States counterpart Nabil Elaraby today announced the appointment of Nasser Al Kidwa as the UN-Arab League Deputy Joint Special Envoy for Syria.

Mr. Al Kidwa will assist the Joint Special Envoy, Kofi Annan, in his efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the bloody unrest raging in Syria.

“Mr. Al Kidwa brings to the position years of diplomatic experience and deep knowledge of the region,” said a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Secretary-General.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Al Kidwa served in various capacities within the Palestinian Authority, including as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2006, and Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN from 1991 to 2005.

Mr. Ban and Mr. Elaraby on 23 February announced the appointment of Mr. Annan, a former UN Secretary-General, as their Joint Special Envoy to deal with the crisis in Syria, where thousands of people have been killed as a result of the Government’s ongoing crackdown against a pro-democracy uprising.