War-torn Syria is at risk of turning into a new Somalia, United Nations-Arab League envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi warned in remarks published Tuesday, dpa reported.
"I think, unless this (Syrian) issue is properly addressed, the danger becomes Somalization of Syria, ie the collapse of the state and the emergence of warlords and warring militias," he told the pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat.
Brahimi, a veteran Algerian diplomat, was named in August as an envoy for Syria.
His predecessor Kofi Annan quit the mission, blaming divisions at the UN Security Council and the Syrian government for failing to implement a ceasefire.
"What is required is to initiate a political process leading to a comprehensive change responding to the Syrian people's aspirations," Brahimi told Al Hayat.
At least 36,000 people have been killed in Syria since an uprising against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad started in March last year, says the opposition.