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The Secretary-General reiterates his call for a credible and inclusive dialogue, which should be carried out without delay and be part of a broad and genuine reform effort.  The mass arrests of protesters are not consistent with serious reform, and should stop.  The Secretary-General urges President Bashar Al‑Assad to concretely respond to pressing grievances and longer-term concerns of the Syrian people.
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The Secretary-General continues to urge the Syrian Government to allow humanitarian access to affected areas and to facilitate the visit by the fact-finding mission of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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Ban Ki-moon says mass arrests of protesters not consistent with serious reform in Syria