Statement attributable to Head of UN Supervision Mission in Syria, General Robert Mood

UN observers reported that 13 bodies were discovered, last night, in the area of Assukar, 50 km east of Deir Ez-Zor. All the bodies had their hands tied behind their backs and some appear to have been shot in the head from a short distance.

General Mood is deeply disturbed by this appalling and inexcusable act. He calls on all parties to exercise restraint and end the cycle violence for the sake of Syria and the Syrian people.

Damascus, 30 May 2012