SYRIA: U.N. peacekeeping monitors in Syria to steer clear of Friday tension

Record ID: 280708

  • Title: SYRIA: U.N. peacekeeping monitors in Syria to steer clear of Friday tension
  • Date: 20th April 2012
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (APRIL 19, 2012) (REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS CONVOY ARRIVING AT HOTEL HEAD OF THE INITIAL UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SYRIA COLONEL AHMED HIMMICHE GETTING OUT OF THE CAR MORE OF HIMMICHE U.N. MONITORS ENTERING THE HOTEL (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF THE INITIAL UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SYRIA COLONEL AHMED HIMMICHE, SAYING: "We don't want to be used as a to
  • Embargoed: 5th May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2L1FB5WYLR3X8NYJ2550KUDFR
  • Story Text: United Nations observers will not patrol on Fridays, the head of the initial monitoring mission in Syria said on Thursday (April 19), to avoid becoming co-opted by either side of the conflict.
    "We don't want to be used as a tool for escalating the situation. So we will avoid going on patrols on Fridays," said Colonel Ahmed Himmiche.
    Friday's are the biggest protest day in the Middle East, when the week's tensions are aired in public squares.
    A handful of observers have arrived in Syria after the Security Council authorized the deployment of 30 on Saturday (April 14). U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has outlined plans for an "initial deployment" of up to 300 observers, but this would require further authorization.
    Annan's deputy, Jean-Marie Guehenno, told the 15-nation Security Council that deploying more unarmed military observers could alter the political situation on the ground, a diplomat said on condition of anonymity. Other envoys confirmed the remarks.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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