US welcomes deal to provide assistance to Homs

The US confirmed Thursday that the UN is overseeing a deal between the Syrian opposition forces in the city of Homs and the regime to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged city.Under the deal on humanitarian pause, the civilians of Homs who wish to evacuate will be able to do so beginning Friday morning, and food and other assistance will be delivered."It is a tragedy that they should feel that they have to abandon their home and split up their families just to eat and get care," said Jennifer Psaki, spokesperson for the Department of State.Homs "is just one small piece of this" she said, condemning the regime for continual block of humanitarian assistance. These acts are in violation of the basic principles outlined in an October 3 statement explaining the regime must provide unhindered access to humanitarian workers."We should not be giving credit to a regime just for providing food for a few days to people who are starving, given that's the right moral thing to do, " said Psaki.She stressed that the Syrian regime "must follow through on its commitment to allow U.N. humanitarian relief convoys to enter Homs." She reiterated "an evacuation is not a substitute for the safe, regular and unfettered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, wherever they are. Civilians should be allowed to come and go freely and humanitarian access should not be a political bargaining chip." The Department of State acknowledges that the Russian Ambassador is putting pressure on Syria in what they call, "a good step." But wish to have a discussion about this in Geneva.Psaki said, "Certainly we're pressuring the Russians, as we're pressing anyone in the international community who has influence, to make the case to the regime that we have to end the bloodshed and end the brutality."