More than 7,500 people have died in Syria since the outbreak of conflict in the opposition stronghold of Homs nearly 12 months ago.
The revelation came as two high profile United Nations representatives visited the Syrian authorities, urging them to allow unrestricted access to humanitarian organisations that are delivering aid to people affected by the violence, particularly in the Homs district of Baba Amr.
During her visit to some of the areas worst hit by the conflict, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs Valerie Amos, who is also in charge of the UN’s emergency relief, said she was “horrified” by what she saw.
In a statement announcing that the Syrian government had agreed to a “joint preliminary assessment” of areas where help was urgently needed, Amos said: “While this is a necessary first step, it remains essential that a robust and regular arrangement be put in place, which allows humanitarian organisations unhindered access to evacuate the wounded and deliver desperately needed supplies.”
She added: “Almost all the buildings had been destroyed and there were hardly any people left there. I am extremely concerned as to the whereabouts of the people who have been displaced from Baba Amr.”
Following her visit, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon sent his predecessor Kofi Annan, the joint special envoy of the UN and the Arab League, to urge President Bashar al-Assad to end the bloodshed.
“I have very strongly urged Kofi Annan to ensure that there must be an immediate ceasefire,” said Ban.
But the message appears to have fallen on the deaf ears, as President Assad maintained to Annan during their meeting that he was fighting foreign militants.
“No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability,” he said.
Sources close to Annan said he believed the discussion with President Assad was “candid and comprehensive”.
Meanwhile, protests continue in different parts of the world denouncing President Assad’s action.
At press time, several people were gathering outside the Russian Embassy on Orwell Road in Rathgar, south Dublin to show their “support for the Muslims in Syria and to condemn the tyrant Bashir Assad and his supporters” – referring to the Russian and Chinese governments that blocked the UN resolution backing an Arab plan to remove the Syrian leader from power.
A statement from the organisers sent to Metro Éireann read: “It is an obligation to attend, and if you can come you must come to show your support for the Muslim men, women and children who are being killed, raped and tortured daily as the world watches and does nothing,”
It continued: “Do not be among the ones who sit at home and do nothing. As the messenger Muhammad said, if you see Munkar [evil] taking place, change it with your hand and if you cannot speak against it, then hate it in your heart.”
