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February 13, 2013

Syrian Rebels Seize Military Airport; U.N. Warns Toll Nears 70,0000 
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Syrian rebels have captured a military airport near the restive northern
city of Aleppo in their fight against President Bashar al-Assad. The
news comes amidst ongoing violence in the capital Damascus, where both
sides are fighting for control of key roads. On Tuesday, Navi Pillay,
the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said Syrian civilians are
paying the price for U.N. Security Council inaction.

Navi Pillay: "The Security Council is at its best when it acts with a
unified voice. The lack of consensus on Syria and the resulting inaction
has been disastrous, and civilians on all sides have paid the price. We
will be judged against the tragedy that has unfolded before our eyes.
This Council, as well as those of us in key positions within the U.N.,
will rightly be asked what we did."

According to Pillay, the death toll from Syria's nearly two-year-old
conflict is likely approaching 70,000.

 

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