U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the Syrian government and rebel groups for choosing violence and force rather than dialogue.
In an opening speech Monday to a three-week session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Mr. Ban also rebuked the U.N. Security Council for failing to take a unified stance to end the Syrian crisis.
He told delegates he is "deeply troubled by the aerial bombardments of civilians by government forces" in Syria and expressed concern at increasing sectarian tensions and the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
Mr. Ban urged nations and Syrians to unite behind the diplomatic efforts of the new U.N.-Arab League envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi.
The new envoy met with Egyptian and Arab League officials in Cairo Monday.