| Date: 28/04/2012 Time: 12:28:00 AM |
EU High representative Catherine Ashton Friday
night expressed "extreme concern" about the continued violence in Syria in
violation of the ceasefire which should have come into effect on 12 April and
despite the presence on the ground of UN observers.
"I call upon all parties in Syria to cease immediately all forms of
violence.
"It is clear that the Syrian government is not fulfilling its obligations
and is failing to meet its commitments to withdraw its troops and heavy
weapons from population centres," she said in a statement.
Ashton urged once more the Syrian authorities to fully respect the terms of
the agreement with the UN and immediately and fully comply with Kofi Annan's
plan endorsed by UNSC resolutions 2042 and 2043.
"The Syrian Government must ensure that the ceasefire holds. It must also
release detainees, provide access for journalists, ensure freedom to
demonstrate peacefully and allow humanitarian assistance," she said.
It is crucial that all efforts are made to expedite the deployment of the
UN observation mission to Syria (UNSMIS). |