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U.N. Calls for 'Unhindered' Observer Access in Syria

The United Nations said Friday it expects Syrian authorities to grant unfettered access and complete cooperation to Arab observers as bloodshed continues amid a crackdown on protesters.

"It is critical that the observer mission be given unhindered access and full cooperation by the government of Syria, and that its independence and impartiality be fully preserved," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

"We hope that the League of Arab States, under the able stewardship of its secretary-general and its membership, will take all steps possible to ensure that its observer mission will be able to fulfill its mandate in accordance with international human rights law standards."

The Arab League mission has been the focus of controversy, with some Syrian opposition members unhappy with the choice of veteran Sudanese military intelligence officer General Mohammed Ahmed Mustafa al-Dabi to head it.

Dabi this week ruffled feathers by saying Syrian authorities were so far cooperating with the mission and by describing his visit to Homs as "good."

In Syria meanwhile, security forces were accused of firing nail bombs to disperse protesters as tens of thousands flooded the streets across the country in a bid to make their voices heard by the Arab monitors.

The protesters called for the overthrow and prosecution of President Bashar Assad, whose autocratic regime has been blamed for the deaths of more than 5,000 people since pro-reform protests erupted in March.

Activists urged the Arab monitors, who this week started a mission to oversee an Arab League plan to end the bloodshed, to do more to protect civilians from regime forces which they said killed another 15 civilians on Friday alone.

Source: Agence France Presse


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