The Secretary-General of the United Nations is pleased, along with Secretary-General Nabil ElAraby of the League of Arab States, to announce the appointment today of Mr. Nasser Al-Kidwa, as their Deputy Joint Special Representative for Syria. 

Mr. Al-Kidwa brings to the position his extensive diplomatic experience and deep knowledge of the region, in addition to his recent involvement in UN peacemaking efforts on Syria as Deputy to Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan.  In his prior career, Mr. Al-Kidwa served in various functions with the Palestinian National Authority, including as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2006, and Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations from 1991 to 2005.