UN: Both sides in Syria are violating the truce

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a Syrian man, left, stands in front of a building that was damaged after two bombs exploded near a military compound, in the city of Idlib, northwestern Syria, Monday, April 30, 2012. / AP Photo/SANA

(AP) UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. peacekeeping chief said Tuesday that U.N. military observers in Syria are reporting cease-fire violations from the government and opposition and he demanded an immediate halt to all violence.

Herve Ladsous refused to say which side was responsible for the most violations. But he said the unarmed observers have documented a number of Syrian heavy weapons deployed in populated areas — including armored personnel carriers and Howitzers — despite the government's claim that it had withdrawn tanks and troops from cities and towns as required under international envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan.

Syrian forces fired mortar shells into a farming village near the Turkish border Tuesday, killing 10 people, among them two young children.

"The level of violence in Syria has been appalling," Ladsous said at a news conference. "I think the violations that are observed come from both sides. I would not establish a ratio. Now is not the time ... The important fact is that violations do come from both sides."

Twenty-four observers were in Syria on Tuesday in five locations — Damascus, Homs, Hama, Daraa and Idlib — all hotspots in the 13-month uprising that by U.N. account has killed more than 9,000 people, Ladsous said at a news conference. In each place, he said, they conduct mobile patrols during the day and sometimes at night.

He said the U.N. has commitments for about 150 observers which are now being processed, with new pledges coming in daily, and expects a rapid increase that will see the authorized total of 300 observers on the ground by the end of May.

But Ladsous said this requires Syria to give visas to the observers and it has already denied visas to three observers without reason. He declined to disclose their nationalities.

He said there were "verbal comments" from the Syrians about the Friends of Democratic Syria, which includes more than 70 nations including the U.S., many European countries and a number of Mideast nations. President Bashar Assad's government said it would refuse visas to observers from the "Friends" group.

Syria's cultural treasures are also conflict victims
Obama tightens penalties on Iran, Syria
Syrian activists: Deadly shelling at farm village

Ladsous said it is the U.N. peacekeeping department's responsibility to appoint observers and if Syrian authorities don't cooperate, "we report to the Security Council," as he did last week.

He said he expects the U.N. and Syria to sign an agreement "very rapidly" on the operation of the U.N. mission.

But Ladsous said Assad's government still refuses to allow the U.N. to use its own helicopters and air assets, and discussions are continuing on that issue.

Even though only a small number of U.N. observers are on the ground, "already they have had a visible impact, an effective impact," Ladsous said. Not only do the observers see what is going on, but "their presence has the potential to change the political dynamics."

"They help build calm, and calm helps the political process that Mr. Annan is leading," he added.

Ladsous said that 35 U.N. civilian staff members are already in Syria and more will be deployed to support the observers and monitor the implementation of other aspects of the peace plan.

The civilian staff will establish contacts "with various components of the political landscape in Syria, talking to the greatest number possible of people," he said. They will also work on human rights and gender-based violence issues "which are a part of the drama that is happening in Syria."

He said the observers and civilians already deployed — some redeployed from U.N. missions in the Mideast and elsewhere — come from 24 countries.

With the Syrian government responsible for their security, Ladsous said, their safety is an issue.

"I have to say there have been several incidents of various concern, in particular with some opposition members," Ladsous said, without elaborating.

[slatep]

This just goes to show you how ineffectve the UN is.!!

Past experience with Assad should have warned them up- front that Assad was not going to cooperate.

Apparently; the UN thinks the "rebels" should just sit on their hands while Assad continues to slaughter them.

IDIOTS.!!

Send in the clowns applies here.

It should have been apparent to the UN ( just like it is to the rest of us) that Assad couldn't careless what the rest of the world thinks.

Sanctions and observers have had no effect on him whatsoever.!!

SEND IN THE DRONES.

Not one American or UN soldier should have to sacicrifice their life for this butcher.

Assad has killed almost as many of his own people as were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The real payoff is the UN still does't get it.!!

The only way to solve the crisis in Syria is to take Assad out by any means neccessary.

I realize there will be some "collateral damage", but I think the Syrian people would forgive this.

The UN has no one but themselves (and Russia and China) to blame for the continued slaughter.

TO: Obama,

DON'T SEND IN ANY SEALS EITHER.!!!

[azereta]

Both sides in Syria are violating the truce I can believe that . The UN should demand that the rebels stop offensive against the government for their protection and the safety of the civilians and engage in dialogue. The rebels are acting like terrorists and they look bad from my view.

[Lerianis4]

Dialogue is not going to help when you have a bunch of hard-heads in the current Syrian government who are unwilling to realize that most people don't want them in power anymore and to leave as soon as possible.

When that is true, the only thing you can do is physical violence to get those people out of power.

[azereta]

Both sides in Syria are violating the truce I can believe that . The UN should demand that the rebels stop offensive against the government now for their protection and the safety of the civilians and engage in dialogue.The rebels are acting like terrorists and they don't deserve our money and loyalty.

[Ourdoc1]

Ladsous is an idiot. Of course the "opposition" is fighting, they are being bombed, what the hell do you expect them to do, just sit there and wave as the bombs and shells drop?

Let him go sit in Homs for a few days, out in the open and if he is still alive, then he can talk. Oh and no support or guards and no tellling Assad where he is so he avoids him... He won't last a few days...

[azereta]

I expect dialogue and not suicide bombers and culture destroyers. The rebels are brutal.

[Lerianis4]

azereta, they are no more 'brutal' and actually significantly less than the government is in Syria.