UK: No UN access to eastern Aleppo 'unacceptable'

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

The U.K. has reacted to reports from the United Nations saying it has still not been given access to eastern Aleppos Friday

The statement underlined that the UN issued an update Friday its access to eastern Aleppo, which was demanded originally on Monday Dec. 19 by a resolution by the Security Council, and said the access was still to be given.

“It is unacceptable that the UN has still not been given access to eastern Aleppo to assist those who remain and carry out monitoring,” U.K. Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement.

“The regime and those who back it must immediately deliver on their obligations and comply with Security Council Resolution 2328 to ensure that civilians are protected,” he said.

Johnson reiterated his remarks that “Assad’s brutal regime can never unite Syria and bring stability to the country”, adding claims by the Syrian army of full control of Aleppo constituted a “hollow victory”.

“There is only one way to end this conflict: a Syrian-led political settlement based on a transition away from the Assad regime,” he added.

The British foreign minister also called for a nationwide support for cessation of hostilities, asking the international community, including Russia and Iran to “help create the environment for a political settlement based on genuine transition”.

A meeting of Russian, Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers was held on Tuesday in Moscow. They agreed on a joint declaration to ensure the evacuation of civilians and armed groups from eastern Aleppo.