UN, Arab League May Send Joint Observer Mission to Syria

The United Nations and the League of Arab States are considering sending a joint observer mission to Syria in a renewed effort to stop violence in the Middle East country shaken by a political crisis, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

Ban told reporters on Wednesday after a closed-door UN Security Council session that Nabil al-Araby, Secretary-General of the Arab League, intended to send the Arab League observer mission back to Syria and asked for UN help.

“He further suggested that we consider a joint observer mission in Syria, including a joint special envoy,” the UN chief said.

“We stand ready to assist in any way that will contribute towards improvement on the ground and to the overall situation,” he added.

The Arab League announced in January the suspension of its observer mission, which has been working in Syria since late December 2011, over what it described as a serious worsening of the security situation in Syria.

http://en.rian.ru