Brussels, 09/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - France has issued a strong condemnation of the attack on a convoy of UN observers near Deraa in Syria on Wednesday 9 May. The head of the UN team, General Robert Mood, was travelling in the convoy, along with the observer team's spokesperson Neeraj Singh. Six Syrian troops were injured in the attack. The spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry Bernard Valero stated that France holds “the regime in Damascus responsible for the safety of the observers”. The spokesperson for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton also condemned the “violence” and called for full compliance with the Annan Plan.
“This is a graphic example of violence that Syrians do not need. It is essential to halt the violence in all its forms” Singh told a news conference. He said the observers remained focused on their task. Currently there are 70 observers in Syria, and their number will rise to 100 in the next couple of days, he added.
The Syrian National Council places responsibility with the regime. “We believe the regime is using these tactics to try to push the observers out amid popular demands to increase their numbers”, SNC executive committee member Samir Nashar told AFP. (CG/transl.rt)