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UN deeply concerned about humanitarian situation in Syria's E. Ghouta

NEW YORK, Nov 7 (KUNA) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in East Ghouta in Syria.
"Almost 400,000 civilians remain inside the besieged area where they face deteriorating humanitarian, health, living and security conditions. The population represents nearly 95 percent of the entire besieged population within Syria," lamented Spokesman of the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric in a press briefing Tuesday.
He argued that recent World Food Programme assessments indicated severe shortages of food supplies, a sharp increase in the prices of basic commodities and communities, further eroding coping mechanisms.
The cost of a standard food basket in October was almost 10 times higher than the national average, he stated.
Dujarric reiterated that the UN was also concerned over a recent escalation of airstrikes in Aleppo and Idleb governorates.
"Over the past 48 hours, multiple and sustained airstrikes were reported in the southern countryside of Aleppo Governorate and parts of Idleb Governorate. We call on all parties to the conflict to take all measures to protect civilians, as required under international humanitarian law," he said.
On the latest developments in Iraq, Dujarric said that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) took note of the statement concerning the ruling by the High Federal Court, which, among other things, established that no text in the Constitution allows the secession of any of its components listed in Article 116 of the Constitution under its current rulings.
He added that the UN Mission urged the Government of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to acknowledge, endorse and respect this ruling of the Federal Court and reiterate its full commitment to the Constitution.
"UNAMI re-emphasizes the urgent need for political dialogue and negotiations between Baghdad and Irbil, in a spirit of partnership and respect for the Constitution that itself respects the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq," he added.
He concluded that the Mission has also reconfirmed its readiness to play a facilitating role in this dialogue and these negotiations, if requested by both the Federal Government and Kurdistan Regional Government. (end) asf.ibi