Syria conflict: Ban Ki-moon urges more UN observers

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for up to 300 international observers to be sent to Syria as snipers apparently open fire during an advance team visit in Damascus.

Barbara Plett, reporting from the UN in New York, said Mr Ban told the Security Council the Syrian government was not keeping its commitment to pull back its forces but that more international observers could help calm the situation.

His request comes as activist video was released showing gunfire on protesters and an advance team of UN observers in a Damascus suburb.