Secretary-General hopes Syria will carry out Arab League plan to end crisis

Calling once again for an end to the killings in Syria, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he hopes a new peace plan proposed by the League of Arab States is carried out as soon as possible.

“Syria is a source of great concern,” Mr. Ban told reporters during an unannounced visit to the Libyan capital, Tripoli, together with General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser.

“I am aware that the League of Arab States and the Syrian Government have made an agreement and understanding. I hope that this agreement will be implemented without any delay,” he stated.

Syria has reportedly accepted the plan proposed by the Arab League, which includes the release of prisoners, the withdrawal of security forces from the streets and talks between the Government and opposition, according to media reports.

More than 3,000 people have been killed since the Government began its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in March, including at least 187 children. The protests are part of a wider pro-democracy movement across North Africa and the Middle East this year that has toppled long-standing regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

“People have been suffering too much, too long, in Syria,” Mr. Ban said, calling the situation “totally unacceptable.”

The Secretary-General and other top United Nations officials have repeatedly called for an end to the killings, accountability for the crimes committed and the protection of human rights.