UN demands evacuation of Syrian civilians in Homs

AAA??Jun. 17, 2012?2:19 PM ET
UN demands evacuation of Syrian civilians in Homs
AP

U.N. observers are seen at the Dama Rose hotel in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 17, 2012. U.N. observers suspended their patrols in Syria due to a recent spike in violence, the strongest sign yet that an international peace plan was unraveling despite months of diplomatic efforts to prevent the country from plunging into civil war. The observers' decision came after weeks of escalating attacks, including reports of several mass killings that have left dozens dead. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellwai)

U.N. observers are seen at the Dama Rose hotel in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 17, 2012. U.N. observers suspended their patrols in Syria due to a recent spike in violence, the strongest sign yet that an international peace plan was unraveling despite months of diplomatic efforts to prevent the country from plunging into civil war. The observers' decision came after weeks of escalating attacks, including reports of several mass killings that have left dozens dead. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellwai)

This image made from amateur video released by Ugarit News and accessed Sunday, June 17, 2012, purports to show a Syrian man standing in smoke from rockets that hit a building in Rastan town, in Homs province, Syria. Activists say Syrian troops have intensified their shelling of rebel-held neighborhoods in the central city of Homs as living conditions there deteriorate further. (AP Photo/Ugarit News via AP video) TV OUT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL

In this citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Saturday, June 16, 2012, Syrians chant slogans during a demonstration in Kafar Souseh, Damascus, Syria. U.N. observers suspended their patrols in Syria on Saturday due to a recent spike in violence, the strongest sign yet that an international peace plan was unraveling despite months of diplomatic efforts to prevent the country from plunging into civil war. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Saturday, June 16, 2012, Syrians chant slogans during a demonstration in Damascus, Syria. U.N. observers suspended their patrols in Syria on Saturday due to a recent spike in violence, the strongest sign yet that an international peace plan was unraveling despite months of diplomatic efforts to prevent the country from plunging into civil war. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Saturday, June 16, 2012, Syrians chant slogans and wave revolutionary flags during a demonstration in Damascus, Syria. U.N. observers suspended their patrols in Syria on Saturday due to a recent spike in violence, the strongest sign yet that an international peace plan was unraveling despite months of diplomatic efforts to prevent the country from plunging into civil war. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

BEIRUT (AP) ? The head of the U.N. observers' mission in Syria has demanded warring parties allow the evacuation of endangered women, children, elderly and sick from the besieged city of Homs and other combat zones.

Maj. Gen. Robert Mood said that neither Syrian troops nor rebels were willing to hold their fire to allow them to leave, particularly from Homs. He said U.N. efforts to evacuate civilians from Homs had so far failed.

Associated Press
People, Places and Companies: Syria

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