China ‘regrets’ Annan’s resignation

BEIJING, China – China expressed regret Friday over former UN chief Kofi Annan’s resignation as international envoy for Syria and said it would continue to “work for a political resolution” to the conflict.

Annan said on Thursday he was quitting as international envoy for Syria, complaining that his April peace plan had not received the support it deserved from major powers.

He also hit out at “continuous finger-pointing and name-calling” at the UN Security Council which he said had prevented coordinated action to end the bloodshed.

His resignation sparked a new round of recriminations among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, with Washington blaming Beijing and Moscow’s vetoing of three separate resolutions on the Syrian conflict.

Beijing, which has consistently opposed international intervention in the Syrian conflict, said it understood the difficulties Annan had faced, and that it would continue to work for a “political resolution” to the issue.

“China expresses regret at Annan’s resignation. We understand the difficulty of Annan’s mediation work, and respect his decision,” said foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei in a statement.

“China supports the UN playing an important role in the appropriate resolution of the Syrian issue.” – Agence France-Presse