2nd LD Writethru: UN chief urges end to Syria conflict, united efforts for political transition

As the Syria conflict enters its fifth year, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday bringing the deadly crisis to an end is "imperative," pressing for united international efforts to forge an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition based on the Geneva Communique.

"The Syrian people feel increasingly abandoned by the world as they enter the fifth year of the war that has torn their country apart," Ban said in a statement read here by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at a daily news briefing.

While global attention is rightfully focused on the threat to regional and international peace and security, Ban said, "our focus must continue to be with the Syrian people," who continue to suffer "under the eyes of an international community."

According to the UN, over 220,000 Syrians have been killed. Almost half of the country's men, women and children have been forced to flee their homes. More than 4 million people have sought refuge in neighboring countries, while a further 7.6 million are displaced within Syria.

"Bringing the deadly Syrian conflict to an end is imperative if we are to extinguish the fires of violent extremism and sectarianism that burn throughout the entire region," Ban said.

Calling the international community to fulfill collective responsibility on Syria, Ban pointed out that humanitarian assistance "can only alleviate Syria's suffering, not stop the war. "

"For this," he said, "a political solution to this senseless conflict is necessary."

"I call upon the international community to unite and lend its full support to UN efforts to forge an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition based on the Geneva Communique and which meets the aspirations of the Syrian people for freedom, dignity and justice," he said.

The UN chief also urged the Syrian parties to take "decisive steps" to end the bloodshed and to start a political process.

According to his statement, Ban will chair an international pledging conference in Kuwait later this month to raise funds to help the Syrian people and countries throughout the region that are bearing the heavy burden of hosting millions of Syrian refugees.

"I hope that the response at the conference will be extremely generous," he said.

"The Security Council has in the past shown its ability to act against the use of chemical weapons in Syria and to compel the delivery of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Syrians," Ban said, while calling upon the 15-nation body to take "determined measures" to resolve this crisis and on the way forward.

Ban's appeal came after the Security Council approved a resolution on Friday condemning the use of chlorine as a weapon in Syria and threatening sanctions and possible militarily enforced action. Endite