The UN-Arab League envoy on the Syrian crisis, Kofi Annan, is urging the Security Council to overcome its deadlock and unite to end the violence in the country.

Addressing a closed-door meeting of the 15-nation council, via video link in Geneva, Annan says the stronger their message is in support of his efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, the greater his chances will be of securing an end to the fighting.

He is also pushing for a ceasefire and political dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition. He adds that unified pressure from the Security Council on Syria has succeeded in the past, such as when it pressed Damascus to withdraw forces from neighbouring Lebanon.