UN chief urges action on Syria

UN chief Ban Ki-Moon has urged world leaders to stop the slaughter in Syria as thousands of troops are reportedly massing on the outskirts of Aleppo.

After government forces are said to have largely repelled a rebel assault on the capital Damascus, many of them are being redeployed to Syria’s second city.

Tanks, armoured vehicles and warplanes are said to have been pounding the rebels in what was Syria’s commercial hub in the north.

Arriving in Bosnia Ban Ki-Moon demanded an end to the bloodshed and recalled the inertia by the United Nations in 1995 during the Balkan wars:

“Here in the heart of a healing Bosnia and Herzegovina, I make a plea to the world: do not delay. Come together. To act. Act now to stop the slaughter in Syria.”

But as hostilities intensify near the Turkish/Syrian border, Ankara has closed its crossing posts only allowing in refugees.

While there are reports that two more of Syria’s ambassadors have defected to Qatar.

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