Ban Criticizes Security Council 'Paralysis' on Syria

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sharply criticized the U.N. Security Council's "paralysis" on Syria on Wednesday, warning it has hurt both the Syrian people and the council's own credibility.

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly on its responsibility to protect civilian populations from genocide and war crimes, Ban said: "The council's paralysis does the Syrian people harm. It also damages its own credibility."

"We cannot look the other way while the increasing sectarian violence spirals out of control, the humanitarian emergency escalates and the crisis spills over borders," he said.

He stressed the urgent need for "action by influential governments to find a political solution."

The 15-member Security Council has been unable to put concerted pressure on Syria since the start of the crisis 18 months ago, largely because Russia and China which have used their vetoes to block three resolutions.