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Secretary General Ban Condemns Killing of Syrian Arab Red Crescent Chief


NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–26 January 2012.  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned today the killing of the head of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Abd-al-Razzaq Jbeiro.

According to media reports, Mr. Jbeiro, the Secretary-General of the humanitarian organization, was shot dead in an attack that targeted a vehicle he was driving in that was clearly marked with the Red Crescent emblem.

Mr. Ban extended his condolences to Mr. Jbeiro’s family and colleagues and called on the Syrian Government to investigate the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban also reminded everyone of their obligation to “respect and protect humanitarian workers as they perform their duties and impartially serve all those who are in need.”

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, also said she was deeply shocked by Mr. Jbeiro’s killing and sent her sincere condolences to his family and colleagues, on behalf of the humanitarian community.

The murder “serves to remind us of the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in Syria and in other crisis situations,” said Ms. Amos, who is also the UN Humanitarian Coordinator.

“All humanitarians work on the basis of strict impartiality and neutrality. We want to save lives and protect the vulnerable. These principles must be respected,” she stressed.

Last week, Mr. Ban renewed his call on the Syrian authorities to end the ongoing bloodshed in the country, which has, since March, been in a maelstrom of an uprising which has led to the deaths of more than 5,000 people.

Source: un.org


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