Syrian government 'preventing aid deliveries' as ceasefire wobbles

Syria's government has been accused of preventing humanitarian aid deliveries to besieged residents as a landmark ceasefire deal wobbles.

The UN's special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said that Bashar Assad's government was effectively holding up deliveries by withholding letters of authorisation required to ensure their safe passage.

There were also reports that both government forces and rebels had failed to withdraw from a road needed to deliver aid to residents trapped inside the flashpoint city of Aleppo.

Mr de Mistura said that UN aid trucks were "ready to go" but had been unable to make deliveries as they had not received authorisation from the government.

Jan Egeland, a special advisor to the UN Syria envoy, added they were making a "simple" appeal to all parties.

"Can well fed grown men please stop putting political bureaucratic and procedural road blocks for brave humanitarian workers that are willing and able to go to serve women, children, wounded civilians in besieged and cross-fire areas?"

It comes as both sides in the conflict accuse each other of violating a truce deal brokered by the US and Russia last week, which calls for a nationwide ceasefire and safe passage for aid deliveries.

However, Mr de Mistura stressed that the ceasefire deal "potentially a game-changer" and was "by and large" holding.

He said there had been a significant reduction in violence.