UNITED NATIONS (AP) — An Arab-backed resolution calling for a political transition in Syria and strongly condemning the regime’s escalating use of heavy weapons and “gross violations” of human rights was circulated Thursday to the U.N. General Assembly.

And the U.N.-Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, will continue in the post after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked him to stay, the deputy U.N. secretary-general said. Brahimi had told U.N. staff and diplomats in recent weeks that he wanted to resign because his efforts to find a political solution to the conflict have failed.