U.N. ‘playing with Syrian lives’ say activists
- 12 years ago
Video uploaded to a social media website, which Reuters cannot independently verify, purports to show the aftermath of an attack on the Syrian town of Douma, east of Damascus.
The town apparently came under attack after a visit from U.N. monitors on Monday.
On Wednesday opposition activists accused the U.N. of "playing with Syrian lives" by dragging their heels over the deployment of ceasefire monitors - a response to the announcement that it will take another month to deploy 100 more observers.
There are currently 15 unarmed monitors in-country, with more expected.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NEERAJ SINGH, OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE U.N. ADVANCED TEAM IN SYRIA, SAYING:
"We have four new military observers who have joined the advanced team overnight. The total as of this night stands at fifteen military observers and we expect, during the course of today, more observers tonight -- we will keep you updated when that happens."
Ceasefire mediator Kofi Annan told the Security Council on Tuesday that even small numbers of observers can have an enormous impact.
But he said government forces have not withdrawn heavy weapons from population centres and returned to their barracks.
Concerns are growing that even the expected full team of 300 observers will be unable to oversee a ceasefire that both sides appear to disregard.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
The town apparently came under attack after a visit from U.N. monitors on Monday.
On Wednesday opposition activists accused the U.N. of "playing with Syrian lives" by dragging their heels over the deployment of ceasefire monitors - a response to the announcement that it will take another month to deploy 100 more observers.
There are currently 15 unarmed monitors in-country, with more expected.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NEERAJ SINGH, OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE U.N. ADVANCED TEAM IN SYRIA, SAYING:
"We have four new military observers who have joined the advanced team overnight. The total as of this night stands at fifteen military observers and we expect, during the course of today, more observers tonight -- we will keep you updated when that happens."
Ceasefire mediator Kofi Annan told the Security Council on Tuesday that even small numbers of observers can have an enormous impact.
But he said government forces have not withdrawn heavy weapons from population centres and returned to their barracks.
Concerns are growing that even the expected full team of 300 observers will be unable to oversee a ceasefire that both sides appear to disregard.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.