U.N. Chief Says Homs Onslaught an Affront to 'Humanity'
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said Monday he was appalled by the Syrian government's intensified onslaught on the protest city of Homs which he called "unacceptable before humanity."
Ban joined a growing global chorus of condemnation of President Bashar al-Assad's actions since a U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria was vetoed by Russia and China on Saturday.
"The secretary general is appalled by the escalating violence in Syria, particularly at the mounting death toll and continued onslaught on the city of Homs involving the use of heavy artillery and the shelling of civilian areas," said U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky.
"Such violence is totally unacceptable before humanity."
Ban added: "The lack of agreement in the Security Council gives no license to the Syrian authorities to step up attacks on the Syrian population. No government can commit such acts against its people without its legitimacy being eroded."
At least 66 civilians were killed across Syria on Monday as Assad's troops pounded Homs with mortars and launched an assault on Zabadani, near the capital, activists said. Scores more have been killed in Homs in recent days.
Ban "deeply regrets" that the Syrian authorities continue to ignore "pressing" international calls to stop using force against civilians. He highlighted that the Syrian government "is accountable under international human rights law for all acts of violence perpetrated by its security forces against the civilian population," said the spokesman.
The U.N. secretary general called for redoubled efforts to end the violence and seek "an inclusive Syrian-led political process."
Source: Agence France Presse
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