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Aleppo new synonym for hell; collectively failed the people: UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon

News Agencies | Updated on: 10 February 2017, 1:37 IST

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivered stark warnings at the forefront of international concern that "the carnage in Syria remains a gaping hole in the global conscience" during his last press conference.

"Aleppo is now a synonym for hell," Ban Ki-moon said at UN Headquarters in New York, bidding farewell to the UN press corps.

"We have collectively failed the people of Syria. Peace will only prevail when it is accompanied by compassion, justice and accountability for the abominable crimes we have seen," he added.

Also Read: What's in store for Syria after Aleppo falls? Russia and Iran will decide

On another front, he noted that this week will mark the third year of conflict in South Sudan, and he deplored that "the country's leaders have betrayed their people's trust, and squandered a peace agreement".

"Most immediately, my Special Adviser [on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng] has warned of the risk of genocide," he said, urging the UN Security Council to take more concerted action, including through punitive measures.

Also Read: Aleppo live-tweeted as it was razed to the ground. And the world just watched

Ban Ki-moon will complete his 10-year service as the world's top diplomat on 31 December, passing the baton to his successor Antonio Guterres, who was sworn in this past Monday.

"This has been a decade of unceasing test. But I have also seen collective action change millions of lives for the better."

Also Read: 'Tyranny has won': 4-year Aleppo war ends as Russia confirms evacuation deal

He also expressed continued support for the global momentum behind the Paris Agreement on climate change.

"Climate action means jobs, growth, cleaner air and better health. Leaders from across the globe and on every front understand this Fortune of 500 CEOs [Chief Executive Officers] to Governors and Mayors," he said.

"The Paris Agreement on climate change is a precious achievement that we must support and nurture. There is no turning back."

"Difficult as it may sometimes be, international cooperation remains the path to a more peaceful and prosperous world," he said.

Ban Ki-moon stressed that journalists have an important job of informing the world about the work of UN and when it makes progress and when it falls short.

Also Read: Timeline: Key events in the battle for Aleppo

"I deeply believe in your mission," he said, underlining his efforts to be the defender of their safety and press freedom.

South Sudan has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between President Salva Kiir and his Vice-President Riek Machar erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013. The crisis has produced one of the world's worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians.

As the Syria crisis enters its sixth year, civilians continue to bear the brunt of a conflict marked by unparalleled suffering, destruction and disregard for human life.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 13.5 million people require humanitarian assistance, including 4.9 million people in need trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, where they are exposed to grave protection threats.

--ANI

First published: 17 December 2016, 11:21 IST