Pope Benedict XVI calls for ceasefire in Syria

Pope Benedict XVI has called for ceasefire and dialogue between the conflicting sides in Syria.

“I think first and foremost of Syria, torn apart by endless slaughter and the scene of dreadful suffering among its civilian population,” the head of the Roman Catholic Church said at his annual ‘state of the world’ address to ambassadors accredited to the Vatican in the Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace on Monday.

He also urged international action for a resolution to the “grave humanitarian situation” in Syria.

“Civil and political authorities before all others have a grave responsibility to work for peace,” he stated. “They are the first called to resolve the numerous conflicts causing bloodshed in our human family, beginning with… the Middle East.”

Syria has been the scene of turmoil for nearly two years. Many people, including large numbers of security forces, have been killed.

The Syrian government says the chaos that began in the country in March 2011 is being orchestrated from outside. There are reports that a very large number of the armed militants are foreign nationals.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in a televised speech on Sunday that the ongoing conflict in the country is not between the state and the opposition, but between the nation and its enemies.