The United Nations top envoy to Burundi has quit his role mediating talks between political rivals to end weeks of civil unrest, a spokesman said Thursday.

"Said Djinnit gave up his role as mediator in the Burundian crisis, but he will return to Bujumbura as the  Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region," said Vladimir Monteiro, spokesman for the UN mission in Burundi. No information was given as to a possible successor.