As the war in Syria rages on, the man tasked with diluting the crisis steps down.<br/> <br />International Syria mediator, Lakhdar Brahimi, will leave his post on May 31.<br/> <br />He made the announcement with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at his side:<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) LAKHDAR BRAHIMI, INTERNATIONAL SYRIA MEDIATOR, SAYING:<br/> <br />"It's very sad that I leave this position and leave Syria behind in such a bad state."<br/> <br />This comes after nearly two years of seeking an end to Syria's brutal civil war -- A standstill that has frustrated Brahimi.<br/> <br />Syria's announcement that it would hold presidential elections on June 3 dealt a severe blow to Brahimi's efforts in Geneva.<br/> <br />It was here he organized talks between Assad's government and members of the opposition seeking to oust him.<br/> <br />And today, he offered his final thoughts and advice to the U.N. Security Council:<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL ENVOY LAKHDAR BRAHIMI, SAYING:<br/> <br />[REPORTER ASKING: "What
