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US "DEEPLY TROUBLED" OVER SYRIAN MINORITY VIOLENCE
Kuwait News Agency
March 28 2014
28/03/2014 | 10:57 PM | World News WASHINGTON, March 28 (KUNA) -- The
US Department of State said Friday it is "deeply troubled" by recent
fighting and violence that is endangering the Armenian community in
Kesab area, northwest Syria, forcing many to flee.
"There are far too many innocent civilians suffering as a result
of the war. All civilians, as well as their places of worship,
must be protected," Deputy Spokeswoman of the Department Mari Harf
told reporters.
"The violence I'm talking about is being perpetrated by groups
like ISIL Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, so not the moderate
opposition, not the folks we work with repeatedly and consistently
on things inside Syria. "I think that the opposition has been very
clear in condemning extremism and saying they will fight extremism
inside Syria," she added.
Harf indicated yesterday President Barack Obama spoke with Pope Francis
in Rome in which they discussed plight of minorities including Syrian
Christians.
"We deplore continued threats against Christians and other minorities
in Syria," stressed Harf.
She confirmed that there have been some statements by groups
fighting in Kesab saying they will not target civilians and
respect holy places. Harf expects, "those commitments to be
upheld." "The United States will continue its steadfast support
to those affected by violence in Syria and throughout the region,
including Syrian-Armenians," she added.
Christians make up about 10 percent of the Syrian population according
to the Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook. (end) ak.gb KUNA
282257 Mar 14NNNN
Kuwait News Agency
March 28 2014
28/03/2014 | 10:57 PM | World News WASHINGTON, March 28 (KUNA) -- The
US Department of State said Friday it is "deeply troubled" by recent
fighting and violence that is endangering the Armenian community in
Kesab area, northwest Syria, forcing many to flee.
"There are far too many innocent civilians suffering as a result
of the war. All civilians, as well as their places of worship,
must be protected," Deputy Spokeswoman of the Department Mari Harf
told reporters.
"The violence I'm talking about is being perpetrated by groups
like ISIL Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, so not the moderate
opposition, not the folks we work with repeatedly and consistently
on things inside Syria. "I think that the opposition has been very
clear in condemning extremism and saying they will fight extremism
inside Syria," she added.
Harf indicated yesterday President Barack Obama spoke with Pope Francis
in Rome in which they discussed plight of minorities including Syrian
Christians.
"We deplore continued threats against Christians and other minorities
in Syria," stressed Harf.
She confirmed that there have been some statements by groups
fighting in Kesab saying they will not target civilians and
respect holy places. Harf expects, "those commitments to be
upheld." "The United States will continue its steadfast support
to those affected by violence in Syria and throughout the region,
including Syrian-Armenians," she added.
Christians make up about 10 percent of the Syrian population according
to the Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook. (end) ak.gb KUNA
282257 Mar 14NNNN