The conflict in Syria has caused the world's worst refugee crisis for 20 years, with an average of 6,000 people fleeing every day in 2013, the UN says, according to BBC News.

UN refugee chief Antonio Guterres said refugee numbers had not risen "at such a frightening rate" since the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

He was speaking to the UN Security Council, which also heard that 5,000 people are being killed each month.

UN aid chief Valerie Amos said at least 6.8 million Syrians needed urgent help.

Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are locked in a fierce battle with opposition fighters for control of the country.

There has been deadlock at the UN Security Council over the crisis, with Russia and China refusing to back action against Assad proposed by the other veto powers, the US, Britain and France.