(VOVworld) - Lakhdar Brahimi, a former Algerian foreign minister and longtime UN diplomat, has been appointed to replace former Secretary-General Kofi Annan as UN – Arab League peace envoy to Syria.

UN – Arab League peace envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi (source: internet)

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced the decision on Friday. Ban confirmed the UN gives first priority to solve violence in Syria through diplomatic measures and militarization will worsen the situation. Lakhdar Brahimi said he will enhance diplomatic effort in Syria although the 17-month conflict in the country is escalating. Brahimi, 78, was appointed UN envoy in Afghanistan following the September 11 terrorist attack in 2001, and in Iraq after the US and its alliance launched a war in this country in 2003.