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UN Refugee Chief calls for immediate cessation of all hostilities in East Aleppo

Arab World Materials 17 December 2016 21:01 (UTC +04:00)
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi called on the warring sides in Syria on Saturday to immediately cease hostilities in eastern Aleppo so that all civilians could have a chance for safe evacuation
UN Refugee Chief calls for immediate cessation of all hostilities in East Aleppo

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi called on the warring sides in Syria on Saturday to immediately cease hostilities in eastern Aleppo so that all civilians could have a chance for safe evacuation, Sputnik reported.

"All military action must halt. All remaining civilians must be allowed safe conduct out from Eastern Aleppo. Priority must be placed on saving lives. Civilians should not be hostage to negotiations," Grandi said in a statement.

According to Grandi, humanitarian organizations should be provided with free access to all areas in Syria. "UNHCR and partners have provided trauma help to more than 8,000 children in recent days… For the sake of civilian protection everywhere, Syria’s conflict must be ended, now, and without delay," Grandi added.

On Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Aleppo was now under full government control with the Syrian army operation to retake the eastern districts completed. Civilians and militants were leaving the city amid a ceasefire agreement between the remaining pockets of resistance and government forces.

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