CRISIS

U.N.: Syria Stopping Humanitarian Aid

Says officials "asked for more time" on aid deal.

Humanitarian aid groups are still struggling to get access to the growing number of victims in Syria. On Friday morning the United Nations’ humanitarian chief Valerie Amos says that the country is refusing “unhindered” access for groups such as the Red Cross and that Syria has “asked for more time” to decide on an offer from the U.N. to help victims of the ongoing crackdown. Amos spoke from the Syrian border with Turkey where an estimated 11,000 Syrians have sought refuge from the violence. Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is due to visit Syria on Saturday to reach a political solution in a year-long crisis that has the world’s attention. Syrian opposition groups said at least 19 people died from government attacks on Friday.