UN leaders demand solution for Syria

Eight senior UN officials have issued a joint demand for world leaders to put their differences aside and find an end to the Syrian crisis, saying the credibility of the international community is at stake.

The statement from the heads of the World Health Organisation, the World Food Programme, Unicef and the UN agencies for refugees and humanitarian aid comes as Syria’s civil war enters its fifth year.

The statement follows secretary-general Ban Ki-moon’s statement yesterday that described the international community as “divided and incapable of taking collective action” in the civil war.

The UN Security Council has been unable to take strong action because of the threat of a veto from permanent member Russia, Syria’s ally.

Two special representatives of the secretary-general and a commissioner-general also signed today’s statement.