Kofi Annan has resigned as the UN-Arab League envoy to Syria.

It comes after repeated refusals by Russia and China to back his plans to bring stability to the region.

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon made the announcement “with deep regret”.

Mr. Annan was named to the post on February 23rd.

His resignation from the post will be effective as of August 31st.

Reporter Tim Marshall says Mr. Annan has accepted that his diplomatic attempts have not been working.