UN humanitarian chief urges Syrian sides to protect civilians

The visiting UN humanitarian chief, Stephen O'Brien, appealed on Monday to all conflicting parties in Syria to protect civilians.

"I appeal to every party engaged in violence and fighting to protect civilians and to respect international humanitarian law," the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs said during a press conference held in Damascus.

O'Brien said he was "horrified" by reports of attacks in which civilians were hurt, noting that such acts "must stop."

"I am absolutely horrified by the total disregard for civilian life by all parties in this conflict," he said.

O'Brien's remarks came as civilians in Damascus and its countryside were victimized by the conflict between the warring sides.

Earlier this week, rockets and mortars fired by rebels killed over 12 people in several districts of the capital Damascus.

On Sunday, Syrian airstrikes reportedly killed over 80 people and wounded hundreds of others in the rebel-held district of Douma in the eastern countryside of Damascus.

"Attacks on civilians are unlawful, unacceptable and must stop," the humanitarian chief said.

O'Brien also raised concern over the lack of necessary funding for humanitarian organizations to carry out their missions in Syria.

"We cannot scale up our operation to reach more people if we do not have adequate resources. I am very concerned by the lack of funding for humanitarian aid in Syria and the region," he said.

He also hoped for a quick political solution for Syria's long-running conflict.

"I hope for a political solution that could be found soon so that we could give hope to the many many of Syrian families who are hungry and fearing for their lives," he added. Endit