New UN envoy gloomy at Syria task

The Algerian described his mission as "nearly impossible".

Mr Brahimi, a seasoned UN diplomat, was appointed after his predecessor, Koff Annan, resigned, saying he no longer saw a way to fulfil his mission.

Fighting in Syria has escalated, despite a truce mediated by Mr Annan.

Activists say 20,000 people have died since the uprising against the Syrian government began last March.

On Sunday, the pro-rebel Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 5,000 people were killed in August alone.

The conflict has increasingly come to resemble a full-scale civil war, sending an estimated one million Syrians fleeing beyond its borders.

Last month, the United Nations wound up the observer mission that had been tasked with monitoring the cease-fire in Syria under the six-point peace plan negotiated by Mr Annan.

"I'm coming into this job with my eyes open, and no illusions," Mr Brahimi told the BBC's Lyse Doucet in an interview in New York.

"I know how difficult it is - how nearly impossible. I can't say impossible - [it is] nearly impossible.

Our correspondent says that, with few people believing that Mr Brahimi can do much, it seems he sees his job as keeping expectations low.

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