ICRC vetting missing-persons list in Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross said Monday it believes most of the people reported missing in Syria this year were kidnapped or detained.

Magne Barth, head of the ICRC delegation in Syria, said uncertainty surrounding those reported missing in Syria was creating an additional layer of hardship for those affected by civil war.

"We submit regular requests to the Syrian authorities for information on the whereabouts of people believed to be detained or missing," he said in a statement Monday. "We also submitted similar requests to some of the armed opposition groups."

The ICRC said it has received more than 1,000 requests from people looking for information about missing relatives in Syria. The organization said more than 800 of those are believed to be detained or kidnapped.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem told the U.N. General Assembly during an open debate Monday terrorists in his country were violating citizen's basic human rights on a daily basis.

"There is no civil war in Syria, but it is a war against terror that recognizes no values, nor justice, nor equality, and disregards any rights or laws," he said.

At least 100,000 people have died and millions more have been displaced by the conflict that began in March 2011.