Secretary-General, Commending Efforts by League of Arab States to End Violence

 

in Syria, Calls for ‘Unfettered’ Humanitarian Access

 

The following statement was issued on 12 February by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General appreciates and commends the continued efforts of the League of Arab States to stop the violence in Syria and to seek a peaceful resolution of the crisis that meets the democratic and legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.

The United Nations remains in close contact with the League of Arab States, and the Secretary-General spoke today with the League’s Secretary General, Nabil Elaraby, to discuss the latest developments in Syria and the resolution adopted by the League’s Council of Ministers in Cairo.  In this regard, the Secretary-General stressed that action on the specific requests of the League will be a matter for the Security Council to consider, and he will remain in close contact with Member States as they take up these requests.

The Secretary-General voiced his grave concern about the escalating violence, mounting loss of life and deteriorating humanitarian situation, particularly in the city of Homs, which continues to be under siege and heavy shelling of civilian areas since last Saturday.  All violence must stop.  The Secretary-General once again calls on the Syrian Government to comply with international law and immediately end the shelling and use of force against civilians.

The Secretary-General continues to engage with international leaders on Syria, having also spoken over the weekend with the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoğlu, to discuss the humanitarian situation and other relevant issues.  The United Nations will do all that it can to help those in need.  The Secretary-General calls on all parties to allow unfettered access for humanitarian partners to assess and respond to the situation.  He urges all in Syria and in the international community to exert maximum efforts to help bring about a stop to the violence and a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

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For information media • not an official record