Filed by KOSU News in World News.
June 16, 2012

The U.N. said Saturday it was suspending its monitoring operations in Syria because of an “intensification of armed violence” over the past 10 days.

“U.N. observers will not be conducting patrols and will stay in their locations until further notice,” said Gen. Robert Mood, head of the U.N. Supervision Mission in Syria.

Mood said the decision would be reviewed on a daily basis and that the monitoring could resume if conditions improve.

The monitors have been in Syria since April and have been going to cities and towns where deadly clashes are taking place between rebels and the forces of President Bashar Assad.

However, the violence has not abated in the conflict that began in March of last year.

“This escalation is limiting our ability to observe, verify, report as well as assist in local dialogue,” Mood said.

NPR’s Deborah Amos has been in Syria and has traveled with the monitors in recent days. They have had difficulty reaching some sites and have come under fire in a couple of instances.

The former U.N secretary general, Kofi Annan, has been attempting to broker peace between the government and the rebels. But the plan has not been making any headway, and Saturday’s announcement deals another blow to his efforts. [Copyright 2012 National Public Radio]