Syria conflict 'is a global threat' says UN envoy

The new international mediator on Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, said after talks with President Bashar al-Assad that the escalating conflict posed a global threat.

Activists say 27,000 people have been killed in the 18-month uprising against Assad.

"This crisis is deteriorating and represents a danger to the Syrian people, to the region, and to the whole world," Mr Brahimi, who replaced Kofi Annan as mediator two weeks ago, said after speaking with President Assad for an hour at the presidential palace.