UNITED NATIONS, Aug 10: Veteran UN diplomat and trouble-shooter Lakhdar Brahimi of Aligeria is tipped to replace UN-Arab league Syrian envoy Kofi Annan, diplomats told Dawn.

However, UN spokesman declined to comment on reports which have flooded the media here, saying “we cannot play this game”. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan resigned last week saying he could no longer carry out the role.

Mr Brahimi's appointment could be announced as early as next week, barring last-minute objections from governments, diplomatic sources told journalists.

The six-point peace plan proposed by Mr Annan failed to work as violence escalated.

After taking up his post in February, Mr Annan formulated the peace plan that called for an end to the use of heavy weaponry, the free passage of aid, freedom of media and demonstration and for a Syrian-led political process to address the aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people.

It was supposed to come into effect in mid-April, but government forces continued to shell opposition strongholds and the opposition forces never fully committed to it.

Rebels lost control of a key area of Aleppo two days ago after weeks of fighting.

Mr Brahimi, 78, has held a long series of high-profile diplomatic posts.

As a senior Arab League official between 1984-91, Mr Brahami brokered an end to the Lebanese civil war and went on to become Algerian foreignminister between 1991-93.

He was twice appointed as the UN's top envoy for Afghanistan in 1996-98 and in 2001-4.

He has played similar roles in Haiti and South Africa.