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UN calls for cessation of violence in E. Aleppo

NEW YORK, Sept 25 (KUNA) -- The UN called on the Security Council Sunday to ensure a cessation of violence, weekly 48-hour pauses, and medical evacuations in eastern Aleppo.
Meanwhile, UNSC held an urgent meeting today to discuss the appalling situation in Aleppo upon the request of France, UK, and US.
The meeting came on day after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was appalled by the chilling military escalation in Aleppo, which is facing the most sustained and intense bombardment since the start of the Syrian conflict.
During the meeting, UN Special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura described last week to be the "worst" for Syria since the beginning of the crisis six years ago.
He told the Council that the ISSG meeting, held on the sidelines of the General Assembly's 71st session, did not yield the result they were hoping for.
"Nothing justifies the unprecedented military violence affecting innocent civilians in Aleppo right now," he said.
The UN official also noted that the one constant in this conflict is that neither side will win and the Syrian people will lose.
Aleppo has 275,000 people and they cannot all be terrorists, he said, calling for humanitarian convoys to enter immediately due to current shortage in aid supplies.
On her part, the US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power told the Council that Russia and Bashar Al-Assad regime have launched an all-out air and ground offensive against eastern Aleppo.
Instead of pursuing peace, Russia and Assad regime make war, Power said, adding that there can be no peace in Syria if Russia is determined to keep fighting this war.
French Ambassador Francois Delattre said the Syrian regime and its allies are sending a loud and clear message to the world that they are determined to besiege, starve, and bomb Aleppo until they reach their military pre-goal in eradicating the opposition.
Delattre noted that it is also clear that the various negotiations are nothing than a "smokescreen" for the regime in Damascus, in order for it to pursue their goal and gain of Aleppo in its horrific conditions.
British Ambassador Mathew Rycroft said, in his speech, it is difficult to deny that Russia partnering with the Syrian regime to carry out war crimes.
"Bunker-busting bombs more suited to destroying military installations are now destroying homes," he told the 15-member body. (end) mao.ma