Syria could turn into a new Somalia - UN's Brahimi

[Gerald]

Lakhdar Brahimi said the conflict could "go on for a year, two years and more"

The UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, has said he fears the country could "turn into a new Somalia" unless the crisis does not end soon.

In an interview with the newspaper al-Hayat, Mr Brahimi warned of a scenario in which warlords and militia filled a void left by a collapsed state.

Somalia has been without an effective central government since 1991.

Meanwhile, the UK said it would support offering President Bashar al-Assad a safe exit if it ended the bloodshed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20220183

Note: 6 November 2012 Last updated at 14:37 GMT