NEW YORK (AFP) - The United Nations confirmed Thursday that there would be a "humanitarian pause" in the besieged Syrian city of Homs, allowing civilians to leave.

The agreement with Syria's government also clears the way for the delivery of essential lifesaving supplies for about 2,500 civilians, UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters, citing comments from Valerie Amos, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief.