Italian diplomat De Mistura appointed new envoy to Syria

New York, SANA – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon announced Thursday that former Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Staffan de Mistura was appointed the new UN Envoy to Syria, replacing Lakhdar Brahimi.

“I have consulted all relevant sides, including the Syrian authorities, to take this decision.. I am confident the new Envoy will play a new mediation to reach a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria,” Ki-Moon said in a press statement.

Russia has supported the decision.

Born in Stockholm, de Mistura had a 40-year career with the United Nations and recently served as deputy foreign minister in the Italian government headed by Mario Monti.

Mazen Eyon