Paris to switch off Eiffel Tower lights for Aleppo
Paris will turn off the lights on its most popular attraction on Wednesday evening in solidarity with the people of Aleppo.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted (below) that the move was "to show solidarity from the city of Paris for the city of Aleppo and its inhabitants".
Ce soir, à 20h, la @LaTourEiffel s'éteindra pour rappeler symboliquement le soutien de la Ville de @Paris à #Alep et à tous ses habitants pic.twitter.com/ApJOkKrXw5
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) December 14, 2016
"We hope that this symbolic measure, on a monument that is known around the world, will show the international community once more the urgent need to act," she told Europe 1.
The lights will switch off from 8pm.
Tonight at 8pm I will turn my lights off to show the support of Paris to the inhabitants of the city Alep in Syria. pic.twitter.com/eZMaIDBldg
— La tour Eiffel (@LaTourEiffel) December 14, 2016
Syrian government forces have reclaimed most of the city from rebel fighters in recent days amid reports of atrocities committed against residents attempting to flee.
UN humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland said the organization had received detailed reports of deadly attacks on civilians by victorious pro-government militias.
The Gov'ts of Syria & Russia are accountable for any and all atrocities that the victorious militias in Aleppo are now committing!
— Jan Egeland (@NRC_Egeland) December 12, 2016
French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday joined calls for international observers to oversee the evacuation of civilians trapped under fire in the wrecked city.
At a meeting with his defence cabinet, Hollande said those trapped by the fighting should "be evacuated in a dignified and safe manner, under the supervision of international observers and in the presence of humanitarian organizations," the presidency said in a statement.
Hollande also demanded that the population of eastern Aleppo receive "unconditional aid and protection" and said only a negotiated political transition could lead to "a lasting victory over terrorism" in Syria.
The French statement echoed a call by the US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, who said on Tuesday that foreign observers should be allowed in to "oversee the safe evacuation of the people who wish to leave but who justifiably fear that if they try, they will be shot in the street or carted off to one of (Syrian President Bashar al-) Assad's gulags."
On Wednesday, Aleppo was rocked anew by fierce clashes, jeopardizing a deal for the evacuation of civilians and fighters from remaining rebel-held areas.
French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said France and Germany were pressing for the creation of humanitarian corridors allowing civilians out and aid agencies into the battered city.
He rejected calls for Hollande to take a leaf from late Socialist president Francois Mitterrand's book by visiting Aleppo.
"Saying all you need is for the president to visit Aleppo for everything to be resolved... is not responsible," he said.
Mitterrand flew into the besieged city of Sarajevo in 1992, braving shelling and sniper fire to show solidarity with hungry, terrorized civilians during the Bosnian War.
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Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted (below) that the move was "to show solidarity from the city of Paris for the city of Aleppo and its inhabitants".
Ce soir, à 20h, la @LaTourEiffel s'éteindra pour rappeler symboliquement le soutien de la Ville de @Paris à #Alep et à tous ses habitants pic.twitter.com/ApJOkKrXw5
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) December 14, 2016
"We hope that this symbolic measure, on a monument that is known around the world, will show the international community once more the urgent need to act," she told Europe 1.
The lights will switch off from 8pm.
Tonight at 8pm I will turn my lights off to show the support of Paris to the inhabitants of the city Alep in Syria. pic.twitter.com/eZMaIDBldg
— La tour Eiffel (@LaTourEiffel) December 14, 2016
Syrian government forces have reclaimed most of the city from rebel fighters in recent days amid reports of atrocities committed against residents attempting to flee.
UN humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland said the organization had received detailed reports of deadly attacks on civilians by victorious pro-government militias.
The Gov'ts of Syria & Russia are accountable for any and all atrocities that the victorious militias in Aleppo are now committing!
— Jan Egeland (@NRC_Egeland) December 12, 2016
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