Arab League mission to return to Syria -Ban

US : The Arab League and United Nations may send a joint observer mission to Syria where the government's deadly crackdown could worsen, UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday.

Ban launched the idea as he bemoaned the UN Security Council's failure to agree a resolution on the crisis, saying the vote had been "disastrous" for the Syrian people and had only encouraged President Bashar al-Assad to step up his "war" on opponents.

Diplomats said careful preparation would be needed, however, before an Arab League-UN mission could go ahead.

Ban and Arab League secretary general Nabil al-Arabi spoke on Tuesday. The League suspended its monitoring mission to Syria on January 28 because of the mounting violence.

"He informed me that he intends to send the Arab League observer mission back to Syria and asked for UN help," Ban told reporters after briefing a UN Security Council meeting.

"He further suggested that we consider a joint observer mission in Syria, including a joint special envoy." The UN leader said consultations would be held with the Arab League and UN Security Council members in coming days "before fleshing out the details".

The UN secretary general said he feared the violence would worsen and launched into a new attack on the divided 15-member Security Council. Russia and China again vetoed a Syria resolution on Saturday.

"I deeply regret that the Security Council has been unable to speak with one clear voice to end the bloodshed," he said.

"The failure to do so is disastrous for the people of Syria. It has encouraged the Syrian government to step up its war on its own people. AFP