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Syria not complying with peace plan, says Ban Ki-moon | Syria not complying with peace plan, says Ban Ki-moon |
(about 1 hour later) | |
There is little evidence that Syria's government is complying with a peace plan to try to end violence, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said. | There is little evidence that Syria's government is complying with a peace plan to try to end violence, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said. |
After briefing the Security Council, he warned there was an "imminent" danger of civil war in Syria and it could go from tipping point to breaking point. | After briefing the Security Council, he warned there was an "imminent" danger of civil war in Syria and it could go from tipping point to breaking point. |
Meanwhile, UN envoy Kofi Annan said the council should put more pressure on Damascus to implement his peace plan. | |
The comments come after reports that 78 people were killed in central Syria. | |
Opposition activists blame the killings at the Qubair village on pro-government forces but the government accuses "terrorists". | Opposition activists blame the killings at the Qubair village on pro-government forces but the government accuses "terrorists". |
UN monitors trying to reach the village just hours later were fired upon, Mr Ban said. None were hurt in the shooting. | UN monitors trying to reach the village just hours later were fired upon, Mr Ban said. None were hurt in the shooting. |
Mr Ban earlier gave several examples of how UN observers had narrowly escaped injury, saying heavy weapons rounds had fallen near a patrol and armour-piercing bullets had been fired at at least one vehicle, a diplomat told the BBC's Barbara Plett at the UN headquarters in New York. | Mr Ban earlier gave several examples of how UN observers had narrowly escaped injury, saying heavy weapons rounds had fallen near a patrol and armour-piercing bullets had been fired at at least one vehicle, a diplomat told the BBC's Barbara Plett at the UN headquarters in New York. |
Kofi Annan's main message was that the Security Council must unite in action to force the Syrian government to implement his plan, or the crisis would spiral out of control. | |
For the first time he alluded to the possibility of sanctions, saying there should be consequences for non-compliance. | |
In the council, there was a common sense that something should be done, but it still wasn't clear what that should be. | |
Several Western states again proposed sanctions resolutions. | |
But Russia remained cool to the idea, emphasising instead that without pressure also on the armed opposition, the regime wouldn't bow to international demands. | |
Mr Annan acknowledged that discussions had started about setting up a contact group of regional and world powers with influence on Syria's government and opposition. | |
But the idea seems to have got bogged down in disputes about whether Iran should participate. | |
The UN has 297 unarmed observers in Syria to verify the implementation of Mr Annan's six-point plan. It includes a ceasefire, which was supposed to have taken effect in mid-April. | |
Syrians 'bleeding' | |
Mr Ban was speaking at a joint news conference with Mr Annan and also Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi after a Security Council meeting on the Syrian crisis. | |
"The danger of a full scale war is imminent and real," the UN chief said, urging the Security Council to "speak with once voice". | "The danger of a full scale war is imminent and real," the UN chief said, urging the Security Council to "speak with once voice". |
Mr Ban also warned that recent violence across Syria "may amount to crimes against humanity". | Mr Ban also warned that recent violence across Syria "may amount to crimes against humanity". |
"Reports of yet another massacre in Qubair underscore the horrifying reality on the ground. | |
"How many more times have we to condemn them, and how many ways must we say that we are outraged? The Syrian people are bleeding." | |
And while reiterating the UN was committed to Mr Annan's six-point peace plan remained "at the centre of our focus", he said urgent talks were needed to discuss how to proceed further. | |
His comments were echoed by Mr Annan, who warned that "further militarisation of the conflict would lead to disastrous consequences". | His comments were echoed by Mr Annan, who warned that "further militarisation of the conflict would lead to disastrous consequences". |
The latest discussions at the Security Council have highlighted divisions among its members, our correspondent reports. | The latest discussions at the Security Council have highlighted divisions among its members, our correspondent reports. |
She says that the US is demanding decisive action, while Russia and China are both opposing any outside intervention. | She says that the US is demanding decisive action, while Russia and China are both opposing any outside intervention. |
Iran controversy | Iran controversy |
At the news conference, Mr Annan also confirmed that discussions were taking place on forming a contact group of key nations on Syria. | At the news conference, Mr Annan also confirmed that discussions were taking place on forming a contact group of key nations on Syria. |
He said that such group should exert more pressure on both the government of President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition to comply with the peace plan. | He said that such group should exert more pressure on both the government of President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition to comply with the peace plan. |
It has become clear that the idea of including Iran in this contact group would be likely to lead to new controversy, correspondents say. | It has become clear that the idea of including Iran in this contact group would be likely to lead to new controversy, correspondents say. |
Although Mr Annan expressed hopes that Iran would be part of the solution, the US and UK earlier ruled out Tehran's participation. | Although Mr Annan expressed hopes that Iran would be part of the solution, the US and UK earlier ruled out Tehran's participation. |