SWITZERLAND: International mediator Kofi Annan voices concerns over the shelling of Syrian towns, saying civilians may be trapped inside.

Record ID: 280941

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: International mediator Kofi Annan voices concerns over the shelling of Syrian towns, saying civilians may be trapped inside.
  • Date: 12th June 2012
  • Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (JUNE 11, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF U.N. BUILDING INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR KOFI ANNAN'S SPOKESMAN, AHMAD FAWZI (SOUNDBITE) (English) KOFI ANNAN'S SPOKESMAN, AHMAD FAWZI, SAYING: "Mr. Annan is particularly worried about the recent shelling in Homs as well as reports of the use of mortar, helicopters and tanks in the town of al-Haffeh in Latakia. Ther
  • Embargoed: 27th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Switzerland
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA55B1LA9R8GREGT407QXXN041U
  • Story Text: International mediator Kofi Annan voiced concern on Monday (June 11) over the shelling of the Syrian opposition stronghold of Homs and reports of the use of mortar bombs, helicopters and tanks in Haffeh, near the Mediterranean coast.
    In Geneva, his spokesman said Annan was particularly worried about civilians who may be trapped in the towns.
    "Mr. Annan is particularly worried about the recent shelling in Homs as well as reports of the use of mortar, helicopters and tanks in the town of al-Haffeh in Latakia. There are indications that a large number of civilians are trapped in these towns. Mr. Annan demands that the parties take all steps to ensure that civilians are not harmed," said spokesman, Ahmad Fawzi.
    Annan also called for UN military observers, who are monitoring a tattered ceasefire declared two months ago, to be allowed into the town of Haffeh in the province of Latakia.
    Annan held talks in Damascus with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad two weeks ago in a bid to halt the spiralling violence and implement his six-point peace plan. The Assad government blames 'foreign-backed terrorists' for the bloodshed.
    Syrian forces shelled opposition strongholds in the central province of Homs and eastern Deir al-Zor on Monday and clashed with rebels in violence which killed 29 people across the country, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register