U.N. chief urges Syria not to use chemical weapons ‘under any circumstances’

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep concern about escalating violence in the Syrian city of Aleppo. (Reuters)

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By Al Arabiya with Agencies

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday said he was “deeply” concerned about reports of the possible use of chemical weapons by Syria, and demanded the government state it would not use them “under any circumstances.”

“I remain deeply concerned about the reports of the possible use of chemical weapons,” he told reporters, citing one report in which Syria said it would use such weapons if it was attacked by foreign powers.

“I demand .... that the Syrian authorities categorically state that they will not use chemical or other weapons of mass destruction under any circumstances,” he added, speaking at a joint news conference in London with British Foreign Secretary William Hague, Reuters reported.

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UN global arms treaty talks end without agreement

Negotiations at the UN to achieve a landmark treaty to regulate the conventional arms trade have ended without agreement.

The US, followed by Russia and China, said they needed more time to consider the issues.
The BBC's Barbara Plett at the UN said it was a disheartening end to a month of intense negotiations.
However, the conference chairman said he was confident a treaty could be agreed by the end of the year.
Some delegates accused the US of bowing to domestic pressure from the powerful gun lobby in the run up to presidential elections, our correspondent says.

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UN leader condemns lack of regulation for arms trade

UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday it was a "disgrace" that there is no global arms trade regulation as he opened treaty talks held up by Palestinian demands for a place in the negotiations.
The 193 UN members have until July 27 to hammer out a deal for a treaty on dealing in conventional weapons, which experts estimate to be worth more than $70 billion a year.
"Poorly regulated international arms transfers are fueling civil conflicts, destabilizing regions and empowering terrorists and criminal networks," Ban told the meeting, which started a day late because of the Palestinian dispute.
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