On 2 August 2012, Kofi Annan announced to step down as UN-Arab League mediator in Syria on 31 August. Annan pointed to the Syrian government's refusal to implement the six-point plan, the escalating military campaign of the Syrian opposition and the lack of unity in the UN Security Council as causes for the bloodshed to continue.Press conference by Kofi Annan, Joint Special Envoy for Syria , United Nations Office at Geneva, 2 August 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2013 Both Russia and the Syrian government said they regretted Annan's decision to quit.Annan quits as Syria peace envoy; … , alarabiya, 2 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
