Syria blocks Red Cross from entering Baba Amr

GENEVA — Syrian authorities have blocked Red Cross aid workers from entering the Baba Amr district in the city of Homs, where civilians have endured days of fierce fighting, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Friday.

The humanitarian group says it received permission from the government Thursday to enter Baba Amr, and a convoy with seven truckloads of aid was poised to do so on Friday.

"It is unacceptable that people who have been in need of emergency assistance for weeks have still not received any help," said ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger.

"We are staying in Homs tonight in the hope of entering Baba Amr in the very near future," he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the group and its Syrian sister organization would help those families that have fled Baba Amr, Kellenberger said.

The Red Cross also is still waiting for the Syrian government to agree to its call for a daily two-hour cease-fire to allow it to bring humanitarian aid into areas where fighting is taking place, and to evacuate the wounded.

The group made its call for a cease-fire more than a week ago.

"The humanitarian situation was very serious then, and it is worse now," said Kellenberger.