Brussels, 19/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 19 March, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton “unreservedly” condemned the bomb explosions in Syria, in Damascus on 17 March and in Aleppo the following day which killed at least 29 people and injured over 130 more. “The EU condemns all acts of terrorism. There is no justification for the indiscriminate killing and maiming of innocent civilians, under any circumstances”, said Ashton's spokesman. He said that the high representative was following “with great concern” reports of heavy gunfire which broke out in the night of 18 to 19 March in the Mezze district of Damascus. “These tragic events underline the urgency to stop the spiral of violence in Syria and to protect the lives of Syrian citizens”, added the spokesman, stating that Ashton had urged the Syrian authorities to fully cooperate with the mission of Kofi Annan.
On Monday, the five international experts sent by Kofi Annan arrived in Syria to try to bring an end to the violence. These experts in politics, peace-keeping and mediation are expected to meet high-ranking politicians from the Syrian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was in Moscow to discuss the humanitarian situation in Syria. The head of the ICRC said he had received positive signals of Russian support for his call for a daily two-hour ceasefire in all parts of Syria affected by the violence. Discussions also focused on the importance of neutral and independent humanitarian action in the country. (CG/transl.rt)