STORY: UN chief calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in Syria
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 2, 2024
DATELINE: Dec. 3, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:51
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of press briefing room
2. SOUNDBITE (English): STEPHANE DUJARRIC, Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General
3. various of press briefing room

STORYLINE:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities amid the recent escalation of violence in Syria, his spokesman said on Monday.

Guterres is alarmed by the recent escalation of violence across northwest Syria, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, said in a daily press briefing.

SOUNDBITE (English): STEPHANE DUJARRIC, Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General
"The secretary-general is indeed alarmed by the recent escalation of violence across northwest Syria. He calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, reminds all the parties of their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and calls for an immediate return to the UN-facilitated political process in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).
The offensive launched by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an entity subject to Security Council sanctions, along with a broad range of armed opposition factions, shifted frontlines that had been static since 2020. There are reports of civilian casualties, displacements of tens of thousands of people, damage to civilian infrastructure and interruption in essential services and humanitarian aid. All parties must do their utmost to protect civilians and civilian objects, including by allowing safe passage to civilians who are fleeing hostilities.
Syrians have endured the conflict for nearly 14 years. They deserve a political horizon that will deliver a peaceful future - not more bloodshed. The secretary-general emphasizes the urgent need for all parties to seriously engage with Geir Pedersen, his Special Envoy for Syria, to chart a comprehensive path out of conflict in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015)."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from UN Headquarters.
(XHTV)