An unprecedented call for action to stop suffering by ending conflict has been issued by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, along with the head of the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer.

Speaking together at the UN in Geneva, both men warned that a disregard for basic humanity now reigned, with Mr Ban insisting: “Even war has rules.”

The UN chief made reference to the “brazen and brutal erosion of respect for international humanitarian law”, which was characterized by indiscriminate attacks on civilians areas, such as one reported yesterday in a marketplace in Syria and credited to government forces.

Here’s Daniel Johnson’s report from Geneva.

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