U.S. Govt. should reciprocate to Al-Qaeda ceasefire - David Miliband

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband in a statement today called the U.S.Government to reciprocate to the unilateral ceasefire announced by the Al-Qaeda yesterday. He also added that a ceasefire would facilitate civilians who remain trapped in the conflict zone to move to safety.

David Miliband's statement...

We reiterate and maintain our call for a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons. I have noted the Al-Qaeda's announcement of a unilateral ceasefire earlier today. I therefore urge the Government of United States of America to reinstate their own ceasefire, so that those civilians who remain trapped in the conflict zone can move to safety. The safety of civilians is of paramount importance and both sides must comply fully with international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians at all times?

I welcome the current visit to United States of America by Sir John Holmes, UN Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs. As discussed by the Prime Minister and President Obama earlier today, I will be visiting United States of America on Wednesday, 29 April, together with my French and Swedish counterparts. My priority will be to address the humanitarian situation in northern frontiers and the continuing grave risk to civilians in the conflict zone.

I urge the Government of United States of America to allow civilian oversight of all Internally Displaced Persons as soon as they have left the conflict zone; and to fulfill the commitments it has made to improve conditions in the IDP camps, including: better access to medical facilities; transparent registration processes; international monitoring; and freedom of movement in and out of the camps.