The Security Council has agreed to end the UN military observer mission in Syria in the face of an escalating civil war.

The UN Security Council threatened sanctions against Islamist fighters in northern Mali and condemned the destruction of heritage sites in the ancient city of Timbuktu in a resolution passed today.

A resolution expanding the number of UN observers in Syria from 30 to 300 and demanding an immediate halt to violence has been approved by the UN Security Council today.

The US, Britain and France expressed growing concern today that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons programme and developing ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

The United Nations will hold an urgent vote today to send 2,000 more troops and 1,500 extra police to protect Haiti’s aid convoys from lawless gangs roaming the quake-hit streets.