UN Gen Sec Ban Ki-moon has called on world leaders to end violence in Syria.

"I make a plea to the world - do not delay... Act now to stop the slaughter...," Mr Ban said.

Syrian troops are reportedly moving into Aleppo, Syria’s second city and location of the severe recent clashes, amidst fears of fresh massacres as the Syrian army will attempt to quash the new outbreaks of resistance.

Clashes are still ongoing in Damascus, where anti-government activists have said that 23 people were killed in a massacre.

Speaking at an event organised by the Holocaust museum, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, stressed that genocides and mass atrocities were not spontaneous occurrences, but "are always planned".

Clinton said,

"Despite all we have learned and accomplished in the last 70 years, 'never again' remains an unmet, urgent goal."

Iran's ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Mohammed Reza Sajjidi, appealed to the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, Navi Pillay, to ensure immediate action on the killing of Rohingyas in Myanmar.

Amnesty International said that despite Burma’s progress in aspects of democratic reform, the situation for ethnic minorities still remains grave.

The Arab League has called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, the BBC reports.

After an emergency meeting in Qatar, Arab League foreign ministers called on President Assad to resign rapidly, and offered his family safe passage out of Syria.

Meanwhile, the EU is to tighten sanctions and an arms embargo against President Assad's government, the BBC also reported.

The European Union has said it will suspend all sanctions against Zimbabwe once a referendum is held on a new constitution.

In a statement, released on Monday, EU foreign ministers said that this would be an ‘important milestone’ towards holding democratic elections.

Sanctions would be suspended on over 100 individuals, who are subject to a travel ban and asset freeze.