UN chief urges immediate halt to Ghouta fighting

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for an immediate suspension of "all war activities" in the rebel-held Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta where he said 400,000 people are living "in hell on earth."
The UN chief said a suspension of fighting must allow for humanitarian aid to reach all in need and the evacuation of some 700 people needing urgent medical treatment.
Guterres told the UN Security Council today that "this is a human tragedy that is unfolding in front of our eyes and I don't think we can let things go on in this horrendous way."
He welcomed efforts by Sweden and Kuwait who are drafting a Security Council resolution on the humanitarian crisis in Syria calling for a 30-day cease-fire.