'End the Carnage': Ban Urges Syrian Warring Sides to Reach Ceasefire Deal

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined on Friday an appeal of humanitarian agencies to end violence in Syria, calling on all the warring parties to reach a ceasefire deal.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined on Friday an appeal of humanitarian agencies to end violence in Syria, calling on all the warring parties to reach a ceasefire accord.

"Yesterday, leaders of humanitarian organizations and UN agencies appealed to citizens around the world to urge an end to the carnage in Syria. I strongly echo their call today. All parties must reach agreement on a ceasefire nationally and a path to peace," Ban told reporters in Zurich.

The humanitarian organizations called for introduction of humanitarian pauses and ceasefire in Syria to allow food and other urgent assistance to be delivered to civilians of the conflict-torn country, a statement issued Thursday said.

The much-anticipated talks between Damascus officials and the Syrian opposition are expected to take place on January 25.

Earlier on Friday, the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) said that the talks were likely to be postponed for a few days for practical reasons.