UN chief deplores cross-border violence from Syria
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E-mail Xinhua, April 10, 2012
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Friday deplored the reach of Syria's violence beyond the country's borders into neighboring Turkey and Lebanon.
"The secretary-general strongly deplores today's fatal cross- border shootings from Syria into Turkey, as well as into Lebanon," said a statement released on Monday by Ban's spokesperson.
Ban had spoken with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday morning. Davutoglu "conveyed his authorities' utmost concern over the recent developments, including cross-border fire which resulted in deaths and injuries on Turkish territory," said the statement.
Ban is "alarmed" at reports of continued violence and human rights violations in Syria, which have resulted in an increased flow of refugees into neighboring countries.
The Syrian government has had no response so far.
Ban's statement came one day before the Tuesday deadline proposed by Kofi Annan, the joint special envoy of the UN and Arab League for Syria, calling for government forces to pull back from major cities by Tuesday and for all combatants in the conflict to cease all hostilities by Thursday.
"The secretary-general reiterates his appreciation to neighboring countries for their hospitality for displaced Syrian nationals, and for keeping their borders open," said the statement. "After being informed by Turkey last Thursday of the arrival of thousands of new Syrian refugees, the United Nations immediately mobilized emergency assistance to help the newly arrived."
According to the statement, Ban repeated his demand that the Syrian government cease military action against civilians and carry out commitments made to Annan, who is mediating peace in the year-long crisis in Syria.
"The timeline for the complete cessation of violence endorsed by the Security Council must be respected by all without condition," said the statement.
Under the timeline agreed to by the Syrian government through Annan and later endorsed by the UN Security Council, military operations by national security forces must stop by April 10. All violence is expected to stop 48 hours later.
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