UN chief urges Syria's warring parties to "get back to the table"

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called on Syria's warrring sides to get back to the negotiating table, warning that a pause in the Geneva talks may trigger resumed fighting in war-torn country.

"The coming days should be used to get back to the table, not to secure more gains on the battlefield," which may be used to strengthen their positions during negotiations, Ban said.

"The temporary pause in the talks shows just how deep the divisions are," Ban said, as the third round of Syria peace talks, launched earlier this week amid worldwide attention, ground to a halt Wednesday night.

Both the Syrian government and the opposition accused each other of being insincere during the talks.

Ban made the remarks at a Syrian donation conference in London, in which 10 billion U.S. dollars were pledged to help Syrians in need.

Though thankful for the generosity of the the international community, Ban stressed that the current approach to the Syrian crisis is unsustainable.

"We cannot go on like this. There is no military solution. Only political dialogue will rescue the Syrian people from their intolerable suffering," he said.

"The crisis in Syria is about to enter its sixth year. The international community bears a heavy responsibility for failing to end it," he noted.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said negotiations would resume no later than Feb. 25. Endi