Syria Friends group says will send aid within 48 hours if assault stops

Reuters, Friday 24 Feb 2012

Western and Arab states meet in Tunis on Friday to request authorities in Damascus allow immediate access for aid to the cities of Homs, Deraa and Zabadani

Syria
Pro-Syrian regime supporters wave Syrian, Iranian and Russian flags, during a demonstration to show their support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012. (Photo: AP)

Western and Arab powers meeting in Tunis on Friday will demand that Syrian authorities allow immediate access for aid to the cities of Homs, Deraa, Zabadani "and other areas under siege," according to an updated draft declaration obtained by Reuters.

The draft conclusion of the "Friends of Syria" meeting also calls on Damascus "immediately to cease all violence," and pledges to deliver humanitarian supplies within 48 hours if Syria "stopped its assault on civilian areas and permitted accces."

The group will also commit to enforce sanctions aimed at pressuring Syria authorities to halt violence, including travel bans, asset freezes, a halt to purchase of Syrian oil, ceasing infrastructure investment and financial services relating to Syria, reducing diplomatic ties and preventing arms shipments to the Syrian government.

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