The U.N.-Arab League Envoy on Syria, Kofi Annan said he was "shocked" by reports of rising violence against civilians in Syria. "I was shocked by latest reports of an increase in violence and atrocities committed against Syrian towns and villages, which had led to a growing number of refugees, victims and displaced persons," Annan said in a statement published today. "It is time that we accelerate every effort to reach a total cessation of military operations, make space for access of humanitarian aid and create conditions to launch a political process to address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of Syrian people," he said.
