Norwegian Major-General to assist The Joint Special Envoy for Syria

Major-General Robert Mood will assist the Joint United Nations-League of Arab States Special Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan, in his efforts to secure an end to armed violence in all its forms by all parties in Syria, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the launching of a Syrian-led political process to address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people. The Syrian government has confirmed its agreement to Mr. Annan's six-point plan of March 27, 2012, including a withdrawal of military units from populated zones and surrounding areas by 10 April 2012. The UN Security Council has endorsed the plan and expressed support for Mr. Annan’s mission.

Major-General Mood was head of the UN observer mission in the Middle East (UN Truce Supervision Organisation, UNTSO) until the spring of 2011.
 
“Norway fully supports the Annan peace plan, Minister of Defence Espen Barth Eide, said, “I am very happy that Mood has been asked to assist the Joint Special Envoy. Mood has intimate knowledge of the region, not least from his term as head of UNTSO. His long experience and commitment to the UN allows him to contribute in a positive way in a very central question of international peace and security.”