Ban: Situation in Syria went from bad to worse

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday said the situation in Syria, and other hot spots around the world, went from bad to worse, and urged warring parties to find a political solution because years of development are at stake and a generation of young people is at risk.He told a press conference about the challenges facing the world over the coming year that the situations in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic "have gone from bad to worse," and what is tragic is that the crises there are avoidable."These are avoidable tragedies in which millions of civilians are paying an unconscionable price. I am especially alarmed by the spread of sectarian animosity, and by the dangerous regional and global spillover effects. Years of development are at stake. A generation of young people is at risk," he said.Ten days before the convening of Geneva II Conference on Syria, Ban today appealed to the warring parties in Syria, and all those with influence over them, to recognize that there is no military solution to this conflict and to work for a political solution that implements the 2012 Geneva I Communique for a peaceful transition. "More immediately, there must be an end to all violence, including the Syrian Government's use of barrel bombs and other heavy weapons that kill and maim so indiscriminately," he stressed.He also appealed to all the warring parties to improve humanitarian access to people in besieged areas, describing the situation in Eastern Ghouta as "shocking." He said 160,000 people have gone without aid for more than a year, adding that the UN is prepared to enter the area to provide assistance, but "we need the full cooperation of the Syrian Government." The humanitarian needs are escalating and funding is falling short, he admitted. "Humanitarian assistance, vital as it is, can be only part of our response." He urged all donors to show their solidarity, including at the second Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria and the affected neighbours that he will chair next Wednesday in Kuwait. On the situation in Iraq, Ban strongly condemned the violence in Anbar, reminding Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's Government of its responsibility to "protect its citizens from violence and acts of terrorism," while exercising restraint in the use of force. He said he reminded the Iraqi Government at the highest level that its policies should be "inclusive and promote reconciliation among all the different ethnic groups. That is the best way to address the grievances of the people who may not be fully satisfied with their situation.On the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, he appealed to both parties to make "decisive progress" in resolving their conflict and draw back from a "perilous" status quo, expressing alarm at the Israeli announcement earlier today to build well over 1,000 settlement units."Such activity is not only illegal but also an obstacle to peace," he said.On the situation in South Sudan, Ban welcomed the beginning of talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between representatives of the current President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar, insisting that "there must be no further delays in agreeing on a cessation of hostilities."I called President Salva Kiir yesterday again and urged him to demonstrate leadership and political flexibility by immediately releasing political prisoners. South Sudan is at a crossroads; this crisis can be resolved only at the negotiating table; and I urge the two sides to negotiate in earnest," he urged.The release of Machar's closest allies imprisoned by Kiir is one of the former vice-president's demands to stop the violence.