UNITED NATIONS (AP) The Syrian crisis crowded the agenda at the U.N. General Assembly's opening Tuesday, as the U.N. chief briefed delegates from more than 190 nations on how rockets filled with nerve gas killed Syrian civilians in a Damascus suburb last month.
Just hours after the General Assembly's president, John Ashe of the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, told reporters this year's sessions would stress broad themes of social development concerning women, youth, human rights and development, the delegates were briefed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the Syrian chemical weapons report that he unveiled at the Security Council a day earlier.
It is the Security Council that deals with issues of war and peace. But this year's General Assembly speeches will also often focus on the Syrian war.
"Syria is the biggest peace, security and humanitarian challenge we face," Ban told reporters before the General Assembly opened.
"Let us be clear: the use of chemical weapons in Syria is only the tip of the iceberg. The suffering in Syria must end. Next week, as world leaders gather here, I will make a strong appeal to member states for action now," Ban said.