The UN-Arab League Special Envoy Kofi Annan on Thursday said he was disappointed over the lack of progress in the Syrian peace process and that he would step down after his current mandate expires on August 31.

At a press conference held in Geneva, Annan, who took the job as Special Envoy for Syria about five months ago, said he had informed the UN and the Arab League earlier in the day his intention to not to continue for a second term.

Annan said without united international pressure, it is impossible for him and anyone else to compel the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition to take the steps necessary to begin the political process.

"The increasing militarization on the ground and the clear lack of unity in the Security Council have fundamentally changed the circumstances for the effective exercise of my role," Annan said, adding that he was frustrated at the "figure-pointing" and "name-calling" in the Security Council.

Annan also blamed the Syrian government for its "continued refusal" of the six-point peace plan and held the oppositions responsible for the escalation of military campaign.

"As an envoy, I can't want peace more than the protagonists, more than the Security Council, more than the international community for that matter," he said.

Annan has informed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby of his intention to quit.

Ban said in a statement he wished to express his deepest gratitude to Annan for the "determined and courageous" efforts he has made as the joint special envoy.

The UN chief now is in consultations with Elaraby on prompt appointment of a successor who can carry on this crucial peacemaking effort.

Ban and Elaraby jointly announced the appointment of former UN chief Annan as the two organizations' joint special envoy on the Syrian crisis on February 23.

His mandate was to consult broadly and engage with all relevant interlocutors within and outside Syria in order to end the violence and the humanitarian crisis.

Apart from that, Annan was tasked to facilitate a peaceful Syrian-led and inclusive political solution through a comprehensive political dialogue between the Syrian government and the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition.

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2012)