Merkel, Erdogan Urge U.N. Action on Syrian Refugee Plight

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Tuesday after talks with the visiting Turkish prime minister for a more united U.N. Security Council response to the "inconceivable" humanitarian plight of Syrian refugees.

Talks with Russia and China should be held as well as with non-Security Council member Iran to help people fleeing the nearly three-year-old conflict, Merkel told a joint press conference with Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"We agree that developments in Syria are unacceptable... and that we want to further advance the unity of the international community of states, in particular on the U.N. Security Council," she said.

Peace talks held in Geneva last month did not provide the hoped-for humanitarian support, Merkel said, adding: "So we cannot now twiddle our thumbs but must try to speak also with Russia and China and keep in contact with Iran."

Erdogan, visiting Europe's top economy, which is home to around three million people with Turkish roots, also called for reform of the U.N. Security Council to prevent one of its five permanent members being able to block necessary action.

Russia and China have vetoed three U.N. Security Council resolutions proposed by Western nations to increase pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad over the conflict, in which more than 136,000 people have died since it began in March 2011.

The United Nations says the number of Syrian refugees has grown from 588,000 at the end of 2012 to 2.4 million in late 2013.

Merkel said that Turkey, which borders Syria, was making an "enormous contribution" in hosting refugees -- the Turkish foreign minister has put the total number at 700,000 -- and that Europe must go further on that issue.

Germany agreed last year to take in some 5,000 Syrian refugees needing "special protection" and is reportedly ready to accept a further 5,000.