LOC00:52
21:52 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 29 (KUNA) -- Joint Special Envoy for Syria Lakhdar
Brahimi on Tuesday urged the UN Security Council to act now because the
atrocities in Syria have reached "unprecedented" levels.
"We are still where we were two months ago. Only the SC can do something.
The time to act is now. The Security Council action is now necessary. The
tragedy does not have an end. Specific international investigations are needed
on some of these crimes," Brahimi reportedly told the Council according to
leaked notes from diplomats inside the Council chamber.
"Assad's legitimacy has been irreparably damaged. The regime in Damascus is
as repressive as it has been, if not more, but people are less afraid to speak
out," the notes added.
At the regional level, "the picture is worrisome. There might be
implications if the crisis continues spiraling. Syria is becoming a playground
for competing forces. None of the neighbors is immune to the fallout
consequences of the conflict."
"I'm sorry if I sound like an old broken record," he reportedly told the
Council, adding that the country is breaking up before everyone's eyes. Only
the international community can help and first no foremost the Council.
He stressed that in the Geneva communique on June 30, "full executive
powers must be clarified," adding that for him, it "clearly means that Assad
should have no role in the transition. (end)
sj.mt
KUNA 300052 Jan 13NNNN