The former head of the UN observer mission in Syria, Robert Mood, said Friday that the exit of President Bashar al-Assad might not end the conflict in the country.

The former head of the UN observer mission in Syria, Robert Mood, said Friday that the exit of President Bashar al-Assad might not end the conflict in the country.

"Sooner or later, the regime will fall," said the Norwegian general, whose mandate to lead a 300-strong mission ended last week amid a sharp spike in violence.

"The spiral of violence … but will it fall in a week or in a year? That is a question I do not dare answer," he told AFP.

"Many think that if Bashar al-Assad falls or that if he is given an honorable exit... the problem will be solved. That is an over-simplification one should be wary of," Mood told a news conference.

Mood has been replaced by Senegalese Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, who has taken over a drastically reduced mission with just 150 observers and a mandate of only 30 days.