UN chief calls to end Syria fighting as he starts General Assembly debateSeptember 20, 2016 - 18:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opened the annual General Assembly debate on Tuesday, September 20 with a call to end the fighting in Syria as he condemned the "sickening, savage" attack on an aid convoy, AFP reports. "I appeal to all those with influence to end the fighting and get talks started," Ban said in his farewell address. The former South Korean foreign minister is stepping down on December 31 after 10 years in what has been widely described as the world's most impossible job. Now in its sixth year with over 300,000 dead, the war in Syria is dominating this year's gathering of world leaders. Ban denounced the "sickening, savage and apparently deliberate attack" on an aid convoy and confirmed that the United Nations had suspended deliveries of humanitarian assistance. "Just when you think it cannot get any worse, the bar of depravity sinks lower," he added. The UN chief hailed the aid workers on the convoy to Aleppo province as "heroes" and said "those who bombed them were cowards" before calling for accountability for crimes committed in the war. Ban blamed all sides for killing innocent people, but "none more so than the government of Syria, which continues to barrel bomb neighborhoods and systematically torture thousands of detainees." He took a swipe at "powerful patrons" who are fueling the conflict and attending the General Assembly debate this week in New York. "Present in this hall today are representatives of governments that have ignored, facilitated, funded, participated in or even planned and carried out atrocities inflicted by all sides of he Syria conflict against Syrian civilians", he said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills |