CIVIL WAR

U.N. Envoy: Change is ‘Necessary’

In Syria.

The new envoy from the United Nations to Syria said on Saturday that the need for new leadership in Syria is both “urgent” and “necessary.” It is the first day on the job for Lakhdar Brahimi, who became special envoy to the war-torn country after Kofi Annan resigned last month as his six-point peace plan unraveled. Attempts at a ceasefire and other peacemaking measures have failed in the country, and upwards of 20,000 people are thought to have been killed in the violence so far. The fighting began after the people of Syria mounted protests against President Bashar al-Assad—Brahimi said on Saturday that the people have “legitimate” demands and that the government must face them.