29Jul12

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UN Envoy Concerned over Aleppo Situation

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Joint UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has expressed concern over the situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo, where the Syrian army launched an anti-opposition operation on Friday, Al Jazeera reported.

"I am concerned about reports of the concentration of troops and heavy weapons around Aleppo, in anticipation of an imminent battle in Syria's largest city," Annan said in a statement as quoted by Al Jazeera.

"I remind the parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law, and urge them to exercise restraint and avoid any further bloodshed," he said.

"I believe that the escalation of the military build-up in Aleppo and the surrounding area is further evidence of the need for the international community to come together to persuade the parties that only a political transition, leading to a political settlement will resolve this crisis and bring peace to the Syrian people," Annan said.

Both President Bashar al-Assad's regime and the opposition said the battle for Aleppo could determine the country's fate.

Annan earlier voiced disappointment at the lack of unity in the UN Security Council, which failed to adopt a new resolution on Syria. The Council had two draft resolutions by Russia and Western countries. Russia and China for a third time vetoed the Western draft fearing the repetition of "the Libyan scenario" in Syria.

Since March 2011, the Syrian conflict has claimed 14,000-20,000 lives, according to estimates by Syrian opposition groups. The West is pushing for Assad's ouster, while Russia and China are trying to prevent outside interference in Syria saying the Assad regime and the opposition are both to blame for the bloodshed.

[Source: Ria Novosti, Moscow, 29Jul12]

Syria War

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