Red Cross chief Peter Maurer held a “positive” meeting with President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Tuesday during which he raised concern over the humanitarian situation in Syria, an official said.
Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, during the 45-minute meeting urged respect for international humanitarian law and the need to boost assistance on the ground in Syria, ICRC spokesman Hisham Hassan said in a statement. State television said Assad told Maurer that he supports the work of the ICRC in Syria so long as it remains “impartial and independent.” “President Assad assured the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross that he welcomed the humanitarian operations carried out by the committee on the ground in Syria, as long as it remains impartial and independent,” the television said.
Hisham described the meeting as “positive” and said Maurer had raised topics related to the “protection of civilians during hostilities.” These included the importance of access to “medical care and food as well as visits to detainees.” Maurer had also raised the necessity to ensure swift provision by the ICRC of humanitarian aid such as medical supplies and equipment to restore damaged water infrastructure.
