Too many nations have taken part in atrocities in Syria, Ban Ki-moon tells UN

Syria's bloody civil war once again dominated United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's speech to the UN general assembly. Photo / Getty Images

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon launched a blistering attack on the Government of Syria this morning.

His speech to the opening of the UN General Assembly followed a deadly attack on a UN aid convoy on Monday that killed more than 20 people.

"Many groups have killed many innocents but none more so than the Government of Syria, which continues to barrel-bomb neighbourhoods and systematically torture thousands of detainees."

Others also had blood on their hands he said. Present in his audience were representatives of governments that had facilitated, funded, or participated in atrocities against civilians in Syria.

"Just when we think we cannot get any worse, the bar of depravity sinks lower.

"Yesterday's sickening, savage and apparently deliberate attack on UN-Syrian Red Crescent aid convoy is the latest example."

The United Nations had been forced to suspend aid convoys as a result of the latest outrage.

"The humanitarians delivering life-saving aid were heroes.

"Those who bombed them were cowards.

"Accountability for crimes such as these is essential," he said.

The plight of refugees has been a strong theme at the UN this week with two summits on the crisis, which is the worst it has been since World War II. More than 60 million people are displaced.

Ban also appeared to make reference to the US presidential elections calling on politicians "and candidates" not to engage in the cynical and dangerous political maths that says you add votes by dividingpeople and multiplying fear.

Candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have been in New York, meeting with various leaders.

CNN reported that Clinton last night met the leaders of Egypt, Ukraine and Japan and that Trump also met the Ukrainian leader.

US president Barack Obama spoke this morning and today is hosting a leaders' summit on refugees.

John Key is due to give his speech about lunchtime today.