UN reduces international staff in Damascus after mortar fire

United Nations: The United Nations says it is temporarily reducing its international staff in Damascus following mortar fire that damaged a hotel and a UN vehicle. UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said on Monday that the UN is temporarily relocating some Damascus-based staff of the office of joint UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to Beirut and to the office’s main office in Cairo. [caption id=“attachment_674921” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Image for representation only. Reuters[/caption] He said all national staff from Brahimi’s office have been asked to work from home until further notice. Nesirky said the shelling Sunday and Monday in proximity to the hotel and on the grounds caused some damage to the building and cars. “These measures are being undertaken solely for security reasons,” he said. Nesirky said UN agencies will continue delivering humanitarian aid to millions of Syrians in need. Associated Press