The continued violence in Syria and divisions in the United Nations Security Council have been obstacles to diplomacy to end the conflict in Syria, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday.
"The hand extended to turn away from violence in favour of dialogue and diplomacy has not been taken, even though it still remains the best hope for the people of Syria," Ban said in announcing international mediator Kofi Annan's resignation, dpa reported.
Ban said the "persistent division" within the UN Security Council had become "an obstacle to diplomacy, making the work of any mediator vastly more difficult."
The UN chief said he was discussing with the Arab League to select a successor to Annan.