Former UN Chief Named Special Envoy to Syria - East Idaho News
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Former UN Chief Named Special Envoy to Syria

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GETTY W 022312 KofiAnnan?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1330058535043Jason Kempin/FilmMagic(NEW YORK) — The United Nations and Arab League on Thursday named Kofi Annan, former secretary-general for the U.N., a joint special envoy to Syria.

The 73-year-old Ghanaian diplomat will be tasked to promote peace on behalf of the United Nations-Arab League in Syria as President Bashar al-Assad continues a violent crackdown on Syrian citizens.

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moom and Arab League Secretary General Nabil El-Araby made the announcement of Annan’s appointment Thursday in a joint statement.  The statement said a deputy from the Arab world would be chosen later to assist Annan, according to the U.N. website.

Annan’s appointment was announced following the release of a U.N. report that found a significant decrease in human rights in Syria.

Annan served as U.N. chief from 1997 to 2006.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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