UN chief: Syria mission should be reduced, refocused on political mediation

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recommended that the UN mission in Syria should be scaled back and refocused on political mediation after a UN-backed truce failed to take hold. In a report to the Security Council last night, the UN chief said the mission should concentrate on fostering dialogue instead of monitoring the truce. The 300-strong UN mission's mandate expires in two weeks' time. The Security Council is due to discuss the mission on Wednesday, ahead of a vote whether to extend its mandate on 18 July. Ban's report suggests that the number of military observers be reduced, but not completely withdrawn. He also suggests that the mission should be based in the capital Damascus, rather than - as previously - in the field, where observers have faced frequent attacks. Violence has escalated in Syria, despite the ceasefire agreed in April. The nominal ceasefire the mission was trying to monitor forms part of a six-point peace plan drawn up by UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.