Foreign Office Minister expresses deep concern over situation around Homs

Minister for the Middle East , Alistair Burt said:

“The British Government is deeply concerned by reports of a build-up of Syrian security forces and armoured vehicles in the besieged city of Homs. This city has been the scene of disturbing crackdowns in recent months. We condemn the continuing violence against civilians and call on the Syrian government not to escalate the cycle of violence further.

“The Syrian government should immediately withdraw its forces from Homs and exercise restraint. This is exactly what it undertook to do when it agreed to the Arab League’s plan on 2 November including its commitment to implement an immediate ceasefire, end all violence, withdraw the military from cities and towns, release detainees and provide access for Arab League monitors and the international media.

“We continue to work with our international partners to condemn the repression in Syria and call for the Syrian government to meet their people’s legitimate demands. The violence is unacceptable and must stop”.

تصريح من وزير الدولة البريطاني أليستر بيرت يعرب عن قلقه من حشد قوات أمن النظام السوري ومدرعاته حول حمص المحاصرة، ويطالب حكومة النظام السوري بسحب قواتها والالتزام بخطة الجامعة العربية.