UN call for ceasefire in ‘hell on earth’

UN Secretary-general Antonio Guterres called for the immediate suspension of “all war activities” in the eastern Ghouta in Syria, 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.

At least 260 people have been killed in Syrian government air strikes in the Damascus suburb since Sunday night, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights group.

Mr Guterres told the UN Security Council 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”. French president Emmanuel Macron has said France “vigorously” condemns the bombardment of the rebel-held area of eastern Ghouta in Syria.

He called for a “truce” to ensure the evacuation of civilians and humanitarian access to the area.