UNITED NATIONS, June 12: Concerned over an ominous increase in the level of violence in Syria, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for an immediate end to fighting in the country.

“The secretary-general expresses his deep concern at the dangerous intensification of armed violence across Syria over the past several days, and the grave danger facing civilians in areas under fire,” the UN chief’s spokesperson said. “The bloodshed and fighting must stop at once.”

Earlier observers with the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria reported an increased level of armed confrontation between government and opposition forces, especially in the city of Homs, a Syrian opposition stronghold, and in Rastan and Talbiseh, north of the city. The observers also called on the parties to grant them immediate and unfettered access to conflict zones.

Mr Ban’s spokesperson noted that the Syrian government’s intensive military operations — including the shelling of Homs and reportedly other population centres, as well as firing from helicopters on Talbiseh and Rastan — were resulting in heavy civilian casualties and human rights violations.