UN suspends Syria patrols
The head of the UN observer mission in Syria has announced that it will suspend operations 'until further notice' due to escalating violence.
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Foreign Secretary condemns Assad regime
Commenting on the UN Mission’s decision to suspend its activities in Syria, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
I regret that it has been necessary for the UN Mission to decide to suspend patrols and to restrict staff movements due to escalating violence in Syria. This underlines the extent of the deterioration of security and stability in Syria, and calls into serious question the viability of the UN Mission.
This worsening situation has been caused by the actions of the Assad regime. As Kofi Annan has said, the Syrian regime bears the primary responsibility for ending the violence and I condemn in the strongest terms its absolute failure to do so. I also call on the armed opposition in Syria to stop its violence.
UN Observers return to inspect damaged cars
UN observers inspect damaged UN cars upon their return from al-Haffa, in northern Syria, to Damascus today. The monitors suspended their activities and patrols because of escalating violence in the country - the strongest sign yet that an international peace plan for Syria is disintegrating.
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White House urges Syria to implement ceasefire
– White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statementWe call again on the Syrian regime to uphold its commitments under the Annan plan, including the full implementation of a ceasefire.
At this critical juncture, we are consulting with our international partners regarding next steps toward a Syrian-led political transition as called for in Security Council resolutions.
White House presses Annan plan on Syria
Following the suspension of the United Nations monitoring of Syria, the White House has urged Syria to abide by Kofi Annan's plan and says it is consulting partners on "next steps".
UN observers suspend patrols due to concerns over safety
The UN observer mission to Syria, which was overseeing the implementation of a ceasefire, has suspended patrols citing escalating violence
Read the full storyUN observer vehicles marked by bullets
Vehicles used to take UN observers out on patrol stood empty in the car park of their Damascus hotel today after the decision was taken to suspend patrols due to escalating violence. Bullet holes, broken windows and scratches are clearly visible in some of the vehicles.
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UN 'remains committed' to Syria
The chief UN observer Major General Robert Mood has said that the UN "remains committed" to assisting with bringing about a lasting peace and promoting a political dialogue in Syria, but that conditions are too dangerous to continue with patrols.
UN observers suspend patrols 'until further notice'
The chief UN observer Major General Robert Mood has said that the UN has decided to suspend operations and will not be operating any patrols in the country "until further notice".
He said the observers would remain in their bases in the country, and that the suspension would be reviewed "on a daily basis".
UN suspends observer mission to Syria
The UN monitors that have been observing the implementation of the ceasefire in Syria have suspended operations due to escalating violence, according to the chief monitor.