On the one year anniversary of Syrian uprising, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called an end to the ongoing bloodshed.
The UN chief stresses that the status quo in Syria is indefensible.
Mr. Ban also called for a peaceful solution of the crisis, which has reportedly claimed more than 8,000 lives since popular protests began a year ago.
“It is urgent to break the cycle of violence, stop military operations against civilians and prevent a further militarization of the conflict in Syria.” -Mr. Ban
The Syrian Government’s decision must halt the violent repression and seek for peaceful political dialogue and genuine change, Mr. Ban stressed.
One year ago, Syrians were emboldened by the changing tide of history in their region. They stood up in the streets of Damascus to appeal for their universal rights and freedoms.
Peaceful popular protests then began to spread across the country.
However, the Syrian authorities responded with brutal repression and seems unable to stop.
Mr. Ban voiced his solidarity with the people of Syria and their legitimate aspirations to dignity, freedom and justice, and called for all violence to end and for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
He urged the Syrian Government and opposition to cooperate with the efforts of the Joint Special Envoy of the UN and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, who put forward proposals recently to end the crisis during his meetings in Damascus, including with President Bashar al-Assad, last weekend.
Mr. Annan’s discussions with Mr. Assad on focused on putting an urgent halt to the escalating violence, giving access to humanitarian agencies, and starting a political dialogue.
He presented a set of concrete proposals to President Assad as well which would have a real impact on the situation on the ground and will help launch a process aimed at putting an end to this crisis.
Mr. Annan said his discussions with Mr. Assad was focused on putting an urgent halt to the escalating violence, giving access to humanitarian agencies, and starting a political dialogue.
He also told the President that his main preoccupation is the welfare of the Syrian people.
“I presented a set of concrete proposals which would have a real impact on the situation on the ground and which will help launch a process aimed at putting an end to this crisis.” – Mr. Annan
Mr. Annan told the President that his main preoccupation is the welfare of the Syrian people.
Tens of thousands of people have been caught up in the violence since the start of the uprising, which is part of the broader Arab Spring movement across North Africa and the Middle East.
The death toll keeps rising in Syria as Government forces continue their deadly crackdown against the pro-democracy protesters.
Massive protests in Syria started on 26th of January 2011. Protesters have been calling for political reforms and the reinstatement of civil rights.
