Delegates from Syria's government and the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad are in Geneva for a second round of peace talks.
U.N.-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is mediating the negotiations, which resume Monday. The talks follow an initial round last month that ended with little progress, but one that Brahimi called "a modest beginning" to build on.
Wide gaps remain on issues ranging from a potential transitional government to humanitarian aid access in besieged areas.
The status of civilians in war-battered Homs was part of the initial round of talks, and last week Syria reached a three-day cease-fire agreement with the United Nations to allow aid into the city.
The governor of Homs, Talal Barazi, said 600 people were evacuated Sunday from rebel-held areas. Workers from the United Nations and Syrian Red Crescent rescued the large group.
Even so, eyewitness accounts said a number of women and children trying to leave the city were killed and wounded after being hit by mortar shells.
Barazi said an aid shipment reached Homs, despite reports the road into the old city was mined. He added sniper fire also hindered the operation.
U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos said she was disappointed by reports aid workers were deliberately targeted. She called it a stark reminder of the dangers civilians and aid workers face each day in Syria.
A year-long blockade of Homs by Syrian government forces has created severe food shortages, and the U.N. says 2,500 people have been stranded since mid-2012.
More than 130,000 people have been killed and 9 million forced from their homes since the conflict began in 2011.
U.N.-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is mediating the negotiations, which resume Monday. The talks follow an initial round last month that ended with little progress, but one that Brahimi called "a modest beginning" to build on.
Wide gaps remain on issues ranging from a potential transitional government to humanitarian aid access in besieged areas.
The status of civilians in war-battered Homs was part of the initial round of talks, and last week Syria reached a three-day cease-fire agreement with the United Nations to allow aid into the city.
The governor of Homs, Talal Barazi, said 600 people were evacuated Sunday from rebel-held areas. Workers from the United Nations and Syrian Red Crescent rescued the large group.
Even so, eyewitness accounts said a number of women and children trying to leave the city were killed and wounded after being hit by mortar shells.
Barazi said an aid shipment reached Homs, despite reports the road into the old city was mined. He added sniper fire also hindered the operation.
U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos said she was disappointed by reports aid workers were deliberately targeted. She called it a stark reminder of the dangers civilians and aid workers face each day in Syria.
A year-long blockade of Homs by Syrian government forces has created severe food shortages, and the U.N. says 2,500 people have been stranded since mid-2012.
More than 130,000 people have been killed and 9 million forced from their homes since the conflict began in 2011.
Source: Hindi News
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