UNSC DEMANDS IMMEDIATE AID ACCESS ACROSS SYRIA

New York, 23 Rabiul Akhir 1435/23 February 2014 (MINA) – The United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed a resolution demanding humanitarian aid convoys be allowed to access millions of Syrians.

The resolution adopted on Saturday urges “all parties” to “allow rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access for UN humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners, including across conflict lines and across borders, in order to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches people in need through the most direct routes.”

It also calls for an end to violence against Syrian civilians, Press TV reported as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

The document was welcomed by all Security Council members, including Russia and China. The two have in the past vetoed several resolutions against the Syrian government.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for quick implementation of the resolution, saying, “If this resolution is implemented quickly and in good faith, at least some of the suffering can be eased.”

Ban warned that the humanitarian situation in Syria “continues to deteriorate.”

Many civilians have been living under dire humanitarian conditions without access to food and medical aid as fighting rages on across the country.

During the past weeks, the United Nations has evacuated over 1,400 civilians from besieged areas in the central city of Homs, as part of a UN-brokered ceasefire between Damascus and foreign-backed militants.

Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. Over 130,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the unrest.

According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey — are supporting the militants operating inside Syria. (T/E01/IR)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)