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-19473478

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Syria aid plea to Assad as Aleppo crisis worsens UN says Syria refugees hit record in August
(34 minutes later)
The head of the Red Cross has discussed Syria's aid crisis with President Assad as reports emerge of worsening conditions in the second city Aleppo. More than 100,000 Syrians fled their country in August, the UN says - the highest monthly number of refugees since the conflict began in March 2011.
Peter Maurer was discussing the "rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation" for Syria's civilians. "These people sought asylum in neighbouring countries," said a spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency.
In Aleppo, another five people were reported killed and supplies were said to be dwindling, with access to parts of the city described as impossible. The rising numbers emerged as Red Cross head Peter Maurer discussed Syria's aid crisis with President Assad.
In Aleppo, supplies are said to be dwindling, with access to parts of the city described as impossible.
Five people were said to have killed in the northern province on Tuesday, a day after at least 25 deaths were reported in air strikes the day before.
Opposition activists reported that many people had been wounded by army shelling in the Darat Izza area of Aleppo province on Tuesday morning.
A Syrian army commander has reportedly vowed to recapture the city in 10 days.A Syrian army commander has reportedly vowed to recapture the city in 10 days.
Fighting was continuing in the region on Tuesday. Opposition activists reported that many people had been wounded by army shelling in the Darat Izza area of Aleppo province on Tuesday morning.
At least 25 people were killed in air strikes in the province the day before.
Armed confrontationsArmed confrontations
The head of the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) spent less than an hour with President Assad on Tuesday morning. He was also due to meet several other senior Syrian officials and visit some of the Damascus suburbs worst affected by violence.The head of the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) spent less than an hour with President Assad on Tuesday morning. He was also due to meet several other senior Syrian officials and visit some of the Damascus suburbs worst affected by violence.
No details of his talks were immediately available but ICRC spokeswoman Cecilia Goin told BBC News that the organisation was planning to "scale up its distribution" of food parcels and other aid across Syria. No details of Mr Maurer's talks were immediately available but ICRC spokeswoman Cecilia Goin told BBC News that the organisation was planning to "scale up its distribution" of food parcels and other aid across Syria.
"The tense and volatile situation is growing," she said."The tense and volatile situation is growing," she said.
"There are armed confrontations persistently in Aleppo and Homs. It's impossible to get into Old Aleppo. Unfortunately we are not able to help those people in need in those places where fighting is taking place.""There are armed confrontations persistently in Aleppo and Homs. It's impossible to get into Old Aleppo. Unfortunately we are not able to help those people in need in those places where fighting is taking place."
Last week, the ICRC said it had delivered food parcels to 5,000 people as well as 2,000 mattresses and 1,000 hygiene kits but the agency accepted more civilians were in need of help.Last week, the ICRC said it had delivered food parcels to 5,000 people as well as 2,000 mattresses and 1,000 hygiene kits but the agency accepted more civilians were in need of help.
Mr Maurer's meeting comes days before the new UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is due to pay his first visit to President Assad in Damascus.Mr Maurer's meeting comes days before the new UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is due to pay his first visit to President Assad in Damascus.
Mr Brahimi, who is to make a statement later to the UN General Assembly, told the BBC on Monday that his task was "nearly impossible".Mr Brahimi, who is to make a statement later to the UN General Assembly, told the BBC on Monday that his task was "nearly impossible".
Hours before US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was due for talks in Beijing, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman stressed the need for a political solution.Hours before US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was due for talks in Beijing, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman stressed the need for a political solution.
"The situation is worsening, but the worse the situation, the more unity is needed," Hong Lei was reported as telling journalists, according to Reuters news agency."The situation is worsening, but the worse the situation, the more unity is needed," Hong Lei was reported as telling journalists, according to Reuters news agency.
China and Russia have both vetoed a succession of proposed UN Security Council resolutions on Syria.China and Russia have both vetoed a succession of proposed UN Security Council resolutions on Syria.
The opposition Syrian National Council has continued its call for urgent international military intervention but Beijing has warned that it opposes any such step.The opposition Syrian National Council has continued its call for urgent international military intervention but Beijing has warned that it opposes any such step.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a pro-opposition activist group, more than 5,000 people were killed in the country last month.According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a pro-opposition activist group, more than 5,000 people were killed in the country last month.