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EU expresses support for UN appeals for 48-hour pause in Syrian conflict

Xinhua, August 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Union (EU) here on Tuesday once again expressed support for the latest UN appeals for a 48-hour humanitarian break in the fighting to allow UN agencies to deliver humanitarian assistance to Syrian people.

"A humanitarian pause is only the first step for a return to the cessation of hostilities across the country in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254,"said EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner Christos Stylianides in a statement.

The statement said a restored cessation, in turn, would not only allow the international community to engage in alleviating the human suffering in Syria's Aleppo city, but also pave the way for restarting the intra-Syrian talks.

"All International Syria Support Group members should join their efforts to exert their influence over parties in conflict for a stop in the fighting to become possible," it said.

Stephen O'Brien, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, in late July proposed a 48-hour pause in the fighting in the Syria's northern city of Aleppo so that a safe, regular and sustained access will be available to the quarter of a million people trapped behind the front lines. Endit