UNITED NATIONS
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has presented his report to the U.N. Security Council saying that a resolution for the passage of humanitarian aid has not been complied with by the warring sides in Syria.
The rare unanimously passed resolution had called for all sides in Syria's conflict to permit humanitarian aid, lift sieges and stop indiscriminate air raids.
This was the first of the monthly reports evaluating the resolution's implementation that the resolution required Ban to make.
He said that both the regime and opposition have breached the resolution in Syria; access to civilians in the besieged areas is still very difficult; sieges and air raids continue in cities; and extremist groups continue to forcibly impose their ideology.
In his report, Ban said: “Foreign elements continue to take part in the clashes and access to besieged areas is very limited. Especially the supply of life saving food and drugs is extremely difficult.”
The Secretary-General stressed that the Syrian government has not eased procedures for the entry of aid convoys and a resulting long wait at the border has made them vulnerable. He demanded the Syrian government soften its procedures, allow the uninterrupted passage of aid and facilitate visas for humanitarian aid workers.
The U.N. Security Council will discuss Ban's report on Friday.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
