In Syria news, there are widespread reports the United Nations has settled on veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi to replace outgoing Syria envoy Kofi Annan when he steps down at the end of the month. Annan announced his departure last week after months of fighting that flouted his multi-step peace plan. Speaking at the United Nations on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said the Obama administration will likely back a different U.N. mandate in Syria following the inability of monitors to carry out their duties.

Susan Rice: “As we’ve said repeatedly, that conditions, particularly the extreme use of violence and heavy weapons by the government, do not permit the UNSMIS monitors, or any monitors at this point, who are unarmed, to do the job they were sent to do. There is no ceasefire or cessation of violence for them to observe and report on.”