Ban Ki-moon repeats calls for Assad to stand down

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has again called on President Assad to stop the killing in Syria.

The uprising began in March 2011 and there are no signs of it abating. Military action by the West has been ruled out and, as yet, there is no end to the killing of protesters that continues in Syria.

Since March 2011, more than 6000 men, women and children have been killed as the uprising goes on and recent reports from credible sources say that children and babies are being tortured. Now, calls are increasing for President Assad to stand down, among those calling for Assad to go is US President Barack Obama, calls which are likely to be unanswered as Assad refuses to bow to the will of the countries people.

Speaking at a conference in Lebanon today, Ban Ki-moon said:

"I say again to President Assad of Syria: Stop the violence. Stop killing your own people. The path of repression is a dead end."

"The lessons of the past year are eloquent and clear:

The winds of change will not cease to blow. The flame ignited in Tunisia will not be dimmed."

"Let us remember, as well: none of these great changes began with a call for a regime change."

"First and foremost, people wanted dignity."

During the speech, Ban Ki-moon also spoke of the Arab Spring and of the support for countries in the Middle East as they make the transition to democracy.