UN chief urges Damascus to stop using heavy weapons against civilians

Ban Ki-moon appealed to Syrian foreign minister to reduce violence that is claiming 100-200 lives per day

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nation’s deputy secretary-general says UN chief Ban Ki-moon made a strong appeal to Syria’s foreign minister to stop using heavy weapons against civilians and reduce the violence that is killing 100 to 200 people every day.

Jan Eliasson told reporters Tuesday that Foreign Minister Walid Moallem “listened very carefully” to Ban during their meeting Monday “and promised to take this back to the leadership in Syria.”

Eliasson said the UN wants to see the Syrian government take the first step in reducing violence followed by a similar reduction in violence by the opposition.

He said this would “enhance the chances of political movement.”

Eliasson said UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will be based in Cairo from next week and should have the “central role” in peace efforts.