Guterres reiterates suspension of hostilities in Syria

World
Europe

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday once again appealed for an immediate suspension of the hostilities in southwestern Syria and the resumption of negotiations to ease the situation.

Speaking through his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres expressed concern by the resumption of the military offensive in the area and its continued devastating impact on civilians.

Nearly 150 civilians have been killed since the strikes in the area began, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

May 10, 2018: Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), speaks during an interview in New York. /VCG Photo

An estimated 750,000 lives are in danger and up to 325,000 people have been displaced as a result of the latest round of violence in southwestern Syria, said UN humanitarian tally.

The secretary-general also expressed support to the statement by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

"Clearly, the most immediate priority is to find a political solution to the conflict and spare Syrian civilians further suffering," Grandi said earlier Thursday.

July 4, 2018: A woman holds a Syrian flag in Deraa, Syria. /VCG Photo

The high commissioner also advocated for granting temporary refuge in Jordan to those in need of safety and for the international community to provide immediate and substantive support to Jordan.

Among the displaced, some 60,000 people are camping at the Nasib-Jaber border crossing between Syria and Jordan.

Guterres called on all parties to take necessary measures to safeguard civilian lives, allow freedom of movement, and protect civilian infrastructure, in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

He further reiterated his call for the UN to be allowed to conduct humanitarian deliveries without further delay.

(Cover: Smoke rises above rebel-held areas of the city of Daraa, during reported airstrikes by Syrian regime forces on July 5, 2018. /VCG Photo )

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency