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UN suspends Syria peace mission UN suspends Syria peace mission
(40 minutes later)
The head of the UN Stabilisation Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) says the mission has been suspended because of escalating violence. The head of the UN Stabilisation Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) says the operation has been suspended because of escalating violence.
Norwegian Gen Robert Mood said the observers would cease patrols and stay in their current locations.Norwegian Gen Robert Mood said the observers would cease patrols and stay in their current locations.
But he said the mission remained committed to ending the violence.But he said the mission remained committed to ending the violence.
The announcement comes a day after Gen Mood warned that the escalation in violence was limiting the observers' ability to do their work.The announcement comes a day after Gen Mood warned that the escalation in violence was limiting the observers' ability to do their work.
Earlier, activists said troops had been shelling parts of Homs and Damascus.Earlier, activists said troops had been shelling parts of Homs and Damascus.
At least seven people were killed overnight in Douma, an eastern suburb of the capital, while at least 18 others died in violence elsewhere, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.At least seven people were killed overnight in Douma, an eastern suburb of the capital, while at least 18 others died in violence elsewhere, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.
The announcement came just a day after Gen Mood had rung alarm bells.The announcement came just a day after Gen Mood had rung alarm bells.
He had warned that the escalation of violence in the past 10 days had limited the ability of the observers to do their job of monitoring, verifying and reporting what was going on, and trying to foster dialogue.He had warned that the escalation of violence in the past 10 days had limited the ability of the observers to do their job of monitoring, verifying and reporting what was going on, and trying to foster dialogue.
It marks a recognition that the Kofi Annan peace plan, of which the observer mission is part, has hit the rocks.It marks a recognition that the Kofi Annan peace plan, of which the observer mission is part, has hit the rocks.
This greatly increases the pressure on international diplomacy to try to salvage it.This greatly increases the pressure on international diplomacy to try to salvage it.
The Observatory also warned of civilians trapped by fighting in Homs who needed medical care - dozens needed to be evacuated. The Observatory also said five people had been killed in Homs, and warned of civilians trapped by fighting in the city who needed medical care - dozens needed to be evacuated.
Civilians 'suffering'Civilians 'suffering'
In a statement announcing the suspension of UNSMIS operations, Gen Mood said: "The observers will not be conducting patrols and will stay in their locations until further notice."In a statement announcing the suspension of UNSMIS operations, Gen Mood said: "The observers will not be conducting patrols and will stay in their locations until further notice."
"This suspension will be reviewed on a daily basis. Operations will resume when we see the situation fit for us to carry out our mandated activities," he said, adding that a "return to normal operations remains our objective"."This suspension will be reviewed on a daily basis. Operations will resume when we see the situation fit for us to carry out our mandated activities," he said, adding that a "return to normal operations remains our objective".
Gen Mood said that violence had intensified in the last 10 days.Gen Mood said that violence had intensified in the last 10 days.
"The lack of willingness by the parties to seek a peaceful transition, and the push towards advancing military positions is increasing the losses on both sides: innocent civilians, men, women and children are being killed every day," he said."The lack of willingness by the parties to seek a peaceful transition, and the push towards advancing military positions is increasing the losses on both sides: innocent civilians, men, women and children are being killed every day," he said.
"It is also posing significant risks to our observers.""It is also posing significant risks to our observers."
The mission's 298 military observers and 112 civilian staff are in Syria to verify the implementation of the six-point peace plan negotiated by the UN and Arab League envoy, Kofi Annan, which included a ceasefire. In response to the announcement, Burhan Ghalioun, former head of the opposition Syrian National Council, said UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's six-point peace plan could still be salvaged.
"I think there is a possibility of saving it by getting the UN Security Council to vote on a resolution invoking Chapter 7, requesting a mandate for the threat of force," he said.
"This could play a role in convincing the Syrian regime to fulfil and respect its commitments."
However, the Council remains split, with Russia and China deeply opposed to even the possibility of the use of force.
US White House spokesman Tommy Vietor urged Syria to abide by the Annan plan.
"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," he said.
The mission's 298 military observers and 112 civilian staff are in Syria to verify the implementation of Mr Annan's plan, which included a ceasefire.
Last Tuesday UN monitors were fired on and turned away by angry residents as they tried to enter the town of Haffa amid fears of a massacre. They were able to return on Friday.Last Tuesday UN monitors were fired on and turned away by angry residents as they tried to enter the town of Haffa amid fears of a massacre. They were able to return on Friday.
The UN says at least 10,000 people have died since pro-democracy protests began in March 2011. In April, the Syrian government reported that 6,143 Syrian citizens had been killed by "terrorist groups".The UN says at least 10,000 people have died since pro-democracy protests began in March 2011. In April, the Syrian government reported that 6,143 Syrian citizens had been killed by "terrorist groups".