Situation in war-torn Aleppo "critical": UN deputy chief

UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson warned Friday that the situation in eastern districts of Syria's northern city of Aleppo is of grave concern as ongoing fighting between warring factions continues to hamper efforts to relieve trapped civilians.

"The humanitarian needs are urgent. We haven't had access for a very long period to eastern Aleppo. We are definitely running out of food; it's a hugely critical situation," he said here in what was his last foreign visit before his mandate comes to a close at the end of the year.

"At the same time, fighting is going on. There is a lot of fighting in the city, and there have also been attacks from the air," he added.

The Swedish diplomat reiterated the UN's call for a nationwide reduction of violence and a cessation of hostilities which will enable much needed humanitarian work to be carried out while also paving the way to a resumption of intra-Syrian political talks seeking to broker an end to the five-year conflict.

"For the time being, we have no signs that these talks are imminent. My absolute conviction is that there is no military solution," he said.

Eliasson also said that investigations into an aerial attack on an Aleppo-bound aid convoy in September this year were ongoing, and that "an attack against a humanitarian convoy of this nature constitutes without any doubt is a war crime."

As well as Syria, the official touched upon concerning situations in the Central African Republic and Yemen, while also highlighting the importance of dealing with climate change and unprecedented migration challenges.

He further stressed the need to respect the democratic election of Donald Trump as president of the United States, adding that a dialogue with the new administration will open in due course.

Eliasson assumed office in July 2012 and has served directly under incumbent UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who will be succeeded by Antonio Guterres on Jan. 1 next year. Endit