This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35590172
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Syria crisis: Government approves aid deliveries, says UN | Syria crisis: Government approves aid deliveries, says UN |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Syrian government has approved humanitarian access to seven besieged areas, the UN has said. | The Syrian government has approved humanitarian access to seven besieged areas, the UN has said. |
| Convoys were being prepared to depart "as soon as possible", said spokesman Farhan Haq. | Convoys were being prepared to depart "as soon as possible", said spokesman Farhan Haq. |
| Among the areas due to receive aid is Madaya, where people have been dying of starvation. | Among the areas due to receive aid is Madaya, where people have been dying of starvation. |
| World powers last week agreed to seek a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" and to accelerate and expand aid deliveries. | World powers last week agreed to seek a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" and to accelerate and expand aid deliveries. |
| After talks in Damascus on Tuesday, the UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said the Syrian government had a duty to allow access to whoever needed it. | After talks in Damascus on Tuesday, the UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said the Syrian government had a duty to allow access to whoever needed it. |
| This obligation, he said, would be put to the test on Wednesday. | This obligation, he said, would be put to the test on Wednesday. |
| The seven areas are those deemed by the 17-member International Syria Support Group to be most in need of relief. | |
| "Humanitarian agencies and partners are preparing convoys for these areas to depart as soon as possible in the coming days," said Mr Haq. | |
| Almost half a million people live in besieged areas, according to the UN. | |
| The truce, which does not apply to jihadist groups, is due to come into force later this week. | The truce, which does not apply to jihadist groups, is due to come into force later this week. |
| But Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has cast doubts on the cessation, warning it would be "difficult" to implement and would not mean all parties would stop using weapons. | But Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has cast doubts on the cessation, warning it would be "difficult" to implement and would not mean all parties would stop using weapons. |
| His forces, backed by Russian air power, have been advancing in the north and threaten to surround the key city of Aleppo. | His forces, backed by Russian air power, have been advancing in the north and threaten to surround the key city of Aleppo. |
| Where the aid is going | Where the aid is going |
| The seven areas named by the UN are: | The seven areas named by the UN are: |
| Earlier Russia said it "categorically rejects" accusations of war crimes over the bombing of hospitals in Syria. | Earlier Russia said it "categorically rejects" accusations of war crimes over the bombing of hospitals in Syria. |
| Turkey has blamed Russia for a series of rocket attacks on several hospitals and schools that killed up to 50 people. | Turkey has blamed Russia for a series of rocket attacks on several hospitals and schools that killed up to 50 people. |
| But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the BBC that the only proof Russia would accept from the ground "comes from the Syrian authorities". | But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the BBC that the only proof Russia would accept from the ground "comes from the Syrian authorities". |
| Save the Children has said that seven healthcare facilities were hit by strikes on Monday - more than previously reported. |