JORDAN: UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi visits Syrian refugees in Jordan who express scepticism about his mission.

Record ID: 346685

  • Title: JORDAN: UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi visits Syrian refugees in Jordan who express scepticism about his mission.
  • Date: 18th September 2012
  • Summary: MAFRAQ, JORDAN (SEPTEMBER 18, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TENTS AT ZAATARI CAMP FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES CONVOY CARRYING U.N.- ARAB LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE TO SYRIA, LAKHDAR BRAHIMI ARRIVING AT ZAATARI CAMP U.N. ARAB LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE TO SYRIA LEAVING CAR BRAHIMI MET BY CAMP OFFICIALS VARIOUS OF BRAHIMI TOURING CAMP WITH CAMP OFFICIALS ANDREW HARPER, UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE TO J
  • Embargoed: 3rd October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jordan
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVA74E800GU0DVNFXIZSFO0ECYJ6
  • Story Text: The U.N.-Arab League mediator for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, visited Syrian refugees at the Zaatari camp in the north east of Jordan on Tuesday (September 18).
    His visit came one day after he had meet privately with Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby in Elaraby's home in Cairo on Monday.
    Brahimi had also met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday (September 15) for the first time since he replaced Kofi Annan as the U.N.-Arab League representative. After that meeting, Brahimi had told Reuters the escalating conflict posed a global threat.
    Andrew Harper, UNHCR's representative to Jordan, said Brahimi's visit to the Zaatari camp could advocate on behalf of the refugees.

    "The more people who are aware of the situation here and the conditions here and can advocate on behalf of the Syrians who are displaced not only as refugees but also IDPs (internally displaced people), the better. The worst thing that can be, they can be, that could happen is actually if people do not know about the misery and conditions of the refugees. We are all working very hard to make the situation here as dignified as possible and make sure people have got basic services, goods and protection."
    Syrian refugees who fled the escalating violence to a desert camp pessimistic about Brahimi's mission.

    "Until now, since they mentioned Lakhdar Brahimi's name, three months ago, after Kofi Annan's visit had finished, until now, they assign him with things and assign things with him. If his assignment has dragged on for three months, then what is about his work. It will take at least three to four years. This initiative is a failure since the beginning," said a Syrian refugee who spoke on condition of anonymity.
    More than 250,000 Syrians have fled to neighbouring Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq to escape the violence - with more than 100,000 of those leaving in August alone.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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