UN monitor prioritizes halt of violence in Syria

The Chief of the UN Supervision Mission to Syria, Norwegian Major-General Robert Mood (2nd L) chats with a Syrian army officer (R) during the United Nations observers' visit to Hama city, May 3, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

DAMASCUS - The head of UN observers' mission in Syria condemned on Thursday the recent fatal bombings in the unrest-ridden country over the weekend and stressed that the priority now is halting the violence from both sides.

Major General Robert Mood made the remarks during a press conference held at al-Safir hotel in Syria's central province of Homs after finishing a tour there, the pro-government al-Ekhbaria TV reported.

According to the report, Mood stressed that the Syrian government is not hindering the UN mission in Syria and it is allowing the observers to go anywhere they want.

He said that 50 observers are in Syria now, 31 of them are deployed in several areas. He added that the number will be doubled within the next few days.

The Norwegian team leader also toured central Hama province on Thursday and met with its governor, during which he said his team has the chance to break the cycle of violence in Syria and stressed that the presence of monitors have a "calming effect."