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UNSC urges all parties to end violence in Syria

NEW YORK, April 24 (KUNA) -- The Security Council demanded on Friday all parties to Syrian domestic conflict to immediately put an end to all forms of violence, and importance of complaying with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
In a presidential statement read by Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, during his chairmanship of the Council's briefing, he expressed grave alarm at the significant and rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Syria, including that over 220,000 people have been killed during the crisis.
The Council underlined the risk of further regional destabilization if the conflict, refugee crisis and the needs of the host countries are not adequately addressed.
Judeh welcomed on behalf of the Council the convening of the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria generously hosted by Kuwait, and the USD 3.8 billion pledges made.
He then called on all Member States to ensure the timely disbursement of pledges.
The fact that 12.2 million people in Syria require urgent humanitarian assistance including 440,000 civilians in besieged areas, the UN Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs asked the Security Council today to match its scale with an equally bold and courageous response to the Syrian crisis of global repercussion potential.
Amos, who is also the Emergency Relief Coordinator, also appealed during her briefing before the UNSC, to look seriously at all the options at its disposal which could help to bring an end to the violence in Syria, stop the violations of international law, protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access.
She demanded that attacks on education and health facilities cease and schools and hospitals become zones of peace, as it is in line with resolution 2139, in which the Council 'demands that all parties demilitarize medical facilities, schools and other civilian facilities and avoid establishing military positions in populated areas and desist from attacks directed against civilian objects.' Moreover, Amos asked for a specific UNSC mandate to the Commission of Inquiry looking specifically at the situation in besieged communities and the militarization and responsibility for attacks on medical and educational facilities.
The UNSC is to enforce an arms embargo and targeted sanctions for violations of intentional humanitarian law and non respect of humanitarian imperatives, she added.
UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie-Pitt expressed during her participation that those refugees cannot come to this council, "so please, will you go to them." Actress Jolie-Pitt has made 11 visits to Syrian refugees in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Malta since the crisis erupted in March 2011, and said that the Council was failing the people of Syria.
On behalf of Syrian refugees, she appealed to the international community for unity, "it is time for the Security Council to work as one to end the conflict, and reach a settlement that also brings justice and accountability for the Syrian people," she said.
UN Syria Envoy Staffan De Mistura is due to brief the Council behind closed door later today. (end) mao.bs