U.N. Confirms Humanitarian Agreement on Homs

The United Nations announced Thursday there would be a "humanitarian pause" in the besieged Syrian city of Homs, allowing civilians to leave, though no immediate movement was expected.

The agreement with Syria's government also clears the way for the delivery of essential lifesaving supplies for about 2,500 civilians, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters, citing comments from Valerie Amos, the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief.

Rebel-held Old City areas of central Homs have come under near-daily shelling ever since the army blockaded them in June 2012.

If the Homs agreement enters into force it would be the first such gesture by President Bashar Assad's regime since negotiations with the Syrian opposition and involving world powers were held in Geneva last month.

According to Syria's state news agency, "authorities will implement the deal by providing the necessary humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter and medical aid for innocent civilians who leave" the besieged districts.

In New York, U.N. spokesman Haq said Amos was monitoring the situation closely.

"We need to see unhindered continuous and safe access for humanitarian workers to the millions of people trapped," Haq, quoting Amos, added.

In Geneva, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomed the deal and said food and supplies had been placed on the outskirts of Homs but they would not be delivered until safety is assured.

"This does not mean that a convoy will start rolling now. It's too late in the day," OHCHR spokesman Jens Laerke said of the deal and U.N. aid staff on the ground.

"They're not going to travel by night, but the agreement for delivery is there, and that is what we are welcoming. You may only hear about the actual delivery when it has taken place. And that is simply to ensure the safety of our staff."

An agreement to allow civilians to leave Homs was announced at the recent Geneva talks but the Syrian government and the opposition later accused each other of blocking the plan.