BEIJING, Dec. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The UN-Arab League special representative to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, has briefed the UN General Assembly in an open session. He warned that the situation in Syria is deteriorating and it is affecting peace and stability of the region. Brahimi said he believes the only body that can put together a peace plan is the UN Security Council and urged the council to overcome its deep divisions.

The crisis and conflict in Syria, which began in March last year, has led to the deaths of at least 20,000 people. It has forced more than 460,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries, and left more than 2.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The Security Council, which Brahimi has met several times on the situation in Syria, has so far not reached agreement on collective action to tackle the conflict.

(Source: CNTV.cn)