GENEVA: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk said he is deeply worried about the rising risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East and plead with all parties, along with those states with influence, to act urgently to de-escalate what has become a very precarious situation.

”Human rights – first and foremost the protection of civilians – must be the top priority,” said Turk in a statement issued here on Monday.

”Already, over the past 10 months, civilians – mostly women and children – have endured unbearable pain and suffering as result of the bombs and guns,” he added.

”Everything, and I mean everything, must be done to avoid this situation spiralling further into an abyss that will only have even more terrible consequences for civilians.”

Source : Emirates News Agency