New UN Syria envoy hopes security council will be "more supportive"

The new international envoy to Syria, Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi, said Saturday he hoped the United Nations Security Council would be more united behind him, as he sets out to try to mediate an end to the 17-month conflict, dpa reported.

On Friday Brahimi was named the new envoy of the United Nations and Arab League, replacing former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, who quit as mediator two weeks ago.

In an interview with France 24 broadcaster, believed to be his first since assuming the role, the former foreign minister - who has mediated in several conflicts, including Afghanistan and Ira - said he would begin by "putting his ear to the ground and listening to everybody."

Brahimi said he had experience dealing with a divided Security Council when he was envoy to Afghanistan.

A united Security Council was crucial for success, he said.

"Will that be the case in Syria? Or, will the Security Council, which did not give Kofi Annan the support he needed, realize 'We can't act like this' and be more supportive of me?" he asked.

Brahimi said he had not yet met in person with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon or Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby to discuss his role but had spoken to them by phone.

Annan had briefed him on his efforts but the situation had already changed "enormously" since Annan resigned, he said.

Annan quit over the intransigence of both the Syrian government and rebels, and the stalemate at the Security Council, where Russia and China have boycotted three resolutions condemning the regime's repression.

"You know when you accept a mission like that - either you succeed or you fail," Brahimi said.

Asked why he was accepting a role described by France's ambassador to the UN Gerard Araud as "Mission Impossible" Brahimi said wryly "Maybe I'm mad."