The deputy to the United Nations' Syria mediator Lakhdar Brahimi will leave his post this week, the UN said today.
The UN did not specify the reason for Nasser al-Kidwa's prompt departure, but said that he had indicated "his willingness to serve the United Nations in other capacities."
UN chief Ban Ki-moon thanked Kidwa for his efforts "in trying to end the bloodshed in Syria and move toward a Syrian-led transition," according to a statement by Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky.
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Kidwa was in charge of contact with the Syrian opposition, in particular.
Ban "expressed his appreciation" to Kidwa for his service under both Brahimi and Annan, the statement said.