Annan Urges Full Cooperation on Syria Mission

New international mediator Kofi Annan urged all sides in the Syria crisis on Friday to cooperate with his mission, saying he was determined to put an end to the violence and human rights abuses.

"I look forward to having the full cooperation of all relevant parties and stakeholders in support of this united and determined effort by the United Nations and the Arab League to help bring an end to the violence and human rights abuses, and promote a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis," he said.

Annan, a former secretary-general of the United Nations, said in a statement he was "humbled by the trust and confidence that has been placed in me" by the U.N. and Arab League who had made a joint request for him to take on the role.

Announcing his appointment on Thursday, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League chief Nabil el-Arabi said they were "grateful to Mr. Annan for accepting this important mission at a critical time for the people of Syria."

Annan will now act under a mandate set out by a U.N. General Assembly resolution passed last week and Arab League resolutions on Syria, the U.N. and Arab League chiefs said.

A deputy envoy from the Arab region is to be named soon, the two added in the statement.

The Ghanaian served two terms as U.N. secretary general from 1997 through 2006 when he was replaced by Ban. After standing down he was called in as a mediator to end deadly unrest in Kenya in 2008.