UN chief: Syria's 'violent repression' must end now

The UN chief on Friday demanded an immediate end to the "violent repression" and human rights abuses by Syrian forces in their bloody crackdown against anti-government protesters.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "is deeply troubled by the continued serious violations of human rights, including disturbing reports of the deaths of children under torture, live ammunition and shelling," UN spokeswoman Vannina Maestracci told reporters. (Reuters)