BAN KI MOON CONDEMNS SYRIA FOR NEW ASSAULT ON CIVILIANS

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sharply criticized the Syrian government on Friday for its latest attacks on Syrian civilians, Ban's press office said in a statement.

"Ban strongly condemns the latest escalation of violence. He deplores the assault by the Syrian authorities against innocent civilians, including women and children, despite the commitments by the Syrian government to cease all use of heavy weapons in population centers," the statement said.

"The 10 April timeline to fulfill the Government's implementation of its ceasefire and troop withdrawal commitments, as endorsed by the Security Council, is not an excuse for continued killing," it said.