17 Aug 2017 15:23

Russian military police in Syria assists humanitarian convoys, does not protect UN officers - de Mistura

GENEVA. Aug 17 (Interfax) - The Russian military police in Syria is tasked with ensuring the security of humanitarian convoys rather than protecting or escorting UN officers, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said.

They are not escorting or protecting UN officers, de Mistura said, noting that the United Nations would have never accepted protection or escort by a military unit.

Russian military police are stationed along roads to assist in uninterrupted movement of trucks, conducting checks, and preventing cargo theft, de Mistura said.

At the moment, Russia is helping deliver humanitarian aid to the town of Duma, he said.