UN chief Ban urges Syria to halt Aleppo offensive

Source: AFP 27 July 2012

LONDON – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the Assad regime Friday to stop its offensive on Syria’s second city Aleppo, amid fears of an all-out onslaught against rebel forces and civilians.

“I’m seriously concerned by the escalating violence in Aleppo,” Ban said during a visit to London for the Olympic Games. “I urge the Syrian government to halt the offensive.”

“The violence from both sides must stop for the sake of suffering civilians in Syria,” he added, following a meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Annan fears “imminent battle” in Syria’s Aleppo

Source: Reuters 29 July 2012

International mediator Kofi Annan said he feared an “imminent battle” for Syria’s biggest city Aleppo.

Syrian opposition sources said helicopters from President Bashar al-Assad’s military pounded a rebel-held part of the city on Saturday and armoured units were positioned for an onslaught that could determine its fate.

“I am concerned about reports of the concentration of troops and heavy weapons around Aleppo, in anticipation of an imminent battle,” Annan said in a statement.

“The escalation of the military build-up in Aleppo and the surrounding area is further evidence of the need for the international community to come together to persuade the parties that only a political transition, leading to a political settlement, will resolve this crisis.”

Commenting on the story, Ribal Al-Assad, Director of the ODFS, said:

“I welcome and fully agree with the statements made by Ban Ki-moon and Kofi Annan. It is absolutely vital that the violence from both sides stops for the sake of civilians.

“It is essential that the Syrian opposition comes onto one platform and unites so it can work towards engaging in dialogue with the regime and forming an inclusive democratic transitional national unity government that represents the diversity of Syrian society. Only a political transition, leading to a political settlement, will avert an all out civil war and resolve this crisis.”