Kofi Annan warns of civil war

Syria's international mediator Kofi Annan has appealed to the international community not to let the country slide into civil war.Although the military had its activities somewhat limited, but is not the level of violence is still unacceptable, the former UN secretary general said on Tuesday in Geneva. Annan, who briefed the Security Council by video on the situation in Syria, warned strongly against a possible failure of the brokered by him peace plan: "If he is unsuccessful and a civil war breaks, it would affect not only Syria but would have enormous implications for the entire region . "According to the Red Cross, the fighting in some parts of the character of a civil war.The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Jakob Kellenberger, said that the violence in Homs and Iblib have met during the three criteria of his organization for such a conflict: intensity, duration and degree of organization of the rebels.However, this is not true of the whole country, he told Reuters.The division is of legal significance, because arising under international law in a civil war for both parties to certain obligations. Kellenberger also asked for greater support for the work of the ICRC in Syria.The number of needy people there have grown very strong, he told reporters.This is not only a consequence of the fighting but also the isolation of the country by the international sanctions.

U.S. wants to strengthen rebels

The U.S. ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice announced that her government would strengthen support for the rebels.However, this still does not consider including aid for the killing of opponents. Her Russian counterpart on the other hand sees a positive development in Syria: "The matter is moving in the right direction," said Vitaly Churkin.There were still many obstacles to overcome but they were.in Syria has been raging for 14 months, an uprising against President Bashar el Assad.This according to United Nations estimates more than 9,000 people have died.A ceasefire between the rebels and the government has not kept pace.The ongoing fighting has stoked fears of a nationwide outbreak of civil war.

According to data from the petroleum industry for four weeks is no more diesel in Syrian ports have been delivered. Were recorded in March While up to nine deliveries with about 30 000 tonnes of fuel were arrived in April, just two months to start.Affected are not only imports from countries like Russia, but also from Iran.A supplier based in Morocco underlined the EU sanctions as a reason to stop trading.Why this is obviously extended to supplies from Iran, was initially unclear.Although Syria encourages oil and has two refineries.However, it can not meet its own demand for fuel.