Thursday night’s Statement attributable to the
Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Syria:
"The Secretary-General is gravely
alarmed by reports of continued violence and killing in Syria, including
shelling and explosions in various residential areas as well as armed
clashes. He condemns in the strongest terms the continued repression
against the Syrian civilian population and violence from any
quarter. This situation is unacceptable and must stop immediately.
"The Secretary-General remains deeply
troubled by the continued presence of heavy weapons, military equipment and
army personnel in population centers, as reported by United Nations Military
Observers, which is in contravention of the Syrian Government’s commitments to
withdraw its troops and heavy weapons from these areas. He demands that
the Government of Syria comply with its commitments without delay.
"The
Secretary-General reminds all concerned parties, particularly the Government of
Syria, of the need to ensure that conditions for the effective operation of the
United Nations Military Observers are put in place immediately, including a
sustained cessation of armed violence."
