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-26114068
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 9 | Version 10 |
---|---|
More Syrians flee besieged Homs Old City | More Syrians flee besieged Homs Old City |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Some 300 Syrians have fled Homs after both sides agreed to extend a three-day truce in the Old City, which has been under siege for 18 months. | |
The Syrian Red Crescent confirmed the latest evacuations on Twitter. | The Syrian Red Crescent confirmed the latest evacuations on Twitter. |
Hundreds of civilians were allowed to leave at the weekend after the local governor agreed a truce with the UN. | Hundreds of civilians were allowed to leave at the weekend after the local governor agreed a truce with the UN. |
Meanwhile, government and opposition negotiators have resumed peace talks in Geneva. Analysts say that little progress is expected. | Meanwhile, government and opposition negotiators have resumed peace talks in Geneva. Analysts say that little progress is expected. |
The opposition wants the government to commit in writing to the 2012 Geneva Communique, which called for the formation of a transitional administration with full executive authority. | The opposition wants the government to commit in writing to the 2012 Geneva Communique, which called for the formation of a transitional administration with full executive authority. |
President Bashar al-Assad's government has ruled out any transfer of power. | President Bashar al-Assad's government has ruled out any transfer of power. |
The first round of talks ended last month with no firm agreements and both sides trading insults. | The first round of talks ended last month with no firm agreements and both sides trading insults. |
The second round opened on Monday with preliminary discussions aimed at thrashing out an agenda, but the two sides have not yet met face-to-face. | The second round opened on Monday with preliminary discussions aimed at thrashing out an agenda, but the two sides have not yet met face-to-face. |
Syria's civil conflict has claimed more than 100,000 lives since 2011 and has driven 9.5 million people from their homes. | Syria's civil conflict has claimed more than 100,000 lives since 2011 and has driven 9.5 million people from their homes. |
'Absolutely scandalous' | 'Absolutely scandalous' |
During the first three-day ceasefire in Homs, hundreds of civilians were allowed to leave. | |
The evacuations took place amid mortar fire and shooting, which both sides blamed on each other. Activists say several people were killed. | The evacuations took place amid mortar fire and shooting, which both sides blamed on each other. Activists say several people were killed. |
Although the situation in Homs was discussed during the first round of talks in Geneva, the truce was actually agreed between Homs governor Talal Barazi and the UN resident co-ordinator in Syria. | Although the situation in Homs was discussed during the first round of talks in Geneva, the truce was actually agreed between Homs governor Talal Barazi and the UN resident co-ordinator in Syria. |
Mr Barazi said on Sunday that talks were going on to extend the ceasefire for another three days. | Mr Barazi said on Sunday that talks were going on to extend the ceasefire for another three days. |
UN aid chief Valerie Amos later confirmed in a statement that the truce had been extended for three days. | |
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France and other countries would present a resolution at the UN calling for greater access for humanitarian aid. | French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France and other countries would present a resolution at the UN calling for greater access for humanitarian aid. |
"We are asking for stronger action as far as the humanitarian side is concerned, that medicines and food supplies are handed out in cities," he told French radio. | "We are asking for stronger action as far as the humanitarian side is concerned, that medicines and food supplies are handed out in cities," he told French radio. |
"It is absolutely scandalous that there have been discussions for quite a while and that people are still being starved every day, and so along with a number of other countries we will present a resolution at the UN along those lines." | "It is absolutely scandalous that there have been discussions for quite a while and that people are still being starved every day, and so along with a number of other countries we will present a resolution at the UN along those lines." |
But China and Russia did not turn up to preliminary discussions on the draft. | |
Russian diplomats had already dismissed the idea of a so-called humanitarian resolution. | |
The Syrian government has acknowledged that some of those evacuated from Homs on Sunday were detained after they left. | The Syrian government has acknowledged that some of those evacuated from Homs on Sunday were detained after they left. |
A Syrian information ministry spokesman told the BBC that 103 "militants" had been detained for security checks, but had since been released. | A Syrian information ministry spokesman told the BBC that 103 "militants" had been detained for security checks, but had since been released. |
But other reports suggest the men have not been released, and are still being detained with their families. | But other reports suggest the men have not been released, and are still being detained with their families. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |