Canada Concerned by Spillovers of Syrian Violence

News Release

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**May 14, 2012 -** Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“Canada is deeply concerned that the Assad regime’s continued campaign of violence is aggravating an already acute refugee crisis across Syria’s borders.

“This is the latest tragic consequence of the Assad regime’s brutal repression of its own people, as pro- and anti-Assad factions in places like Tripoli, Lebanon, are now resorting to violence.

“We urge those who live on Syria’s borders to reject violence and not allow the conflict in Syria to spill over.

“Canada continues to call on all parties in Syria to end the violence and to respect the UN-monitored ceasefire.”

Canada has committed up to $7.5 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis in Syria, of which $1 million has been provided to the UN refugee agency to meet the needs of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries.

Canada continues to work with the international community to pursue all diplomatic measures to resolve this crisis.