UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser Al-Kidwa on Tuesday was appointed as deputy joint special representative for Syria, according to a statement issued by the spokesperson's office of UN secretary-general.

"The Secretary-General of the United Nations is pleased, along with Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby of the League of Arab States, to announce the appointment today of Mr. Nasser Al-Kidwa, as their Deputy Joint Special Representative for Syria," said the statement.

He will assist the work of Lakhdar Brahimi, a veteran Algerian diplomat, who was appointed by the UN and Arab League Friday as the new joint special representative for Syria.

Al-Kidwa was previously appointed as deputy to the UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy on Syria Kofi Annan, who had expressed his intention not to renew his mandate when it expires on Aug. 31.

According to the statement, Al-Kidwa used to serve at various posts with the Palestinian National Authority, including as minister for foreign affairs from 2005 to 2006, and permanent observer of Palestine to the United Nations from 1991 to 2005.