UN human rights chief wants talks on Syria

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay Monday called for immediate negotiations to end the 30-month-long conflict in Syria.

"States, together with the United Nations, must find a way to bring the warring parties to (the) negotiating table and halt the bloodshed," said Pillay.

She was speaking at the Human Rights Council's 24th session which began in Geneva Monday.

The number of deaths in the conflict stands at over 100,000, the number of refugees reached two million last week and an additional four million people were displaced inside Syria, said Pillay.

"This appalling situation cries out for international action, yet a military response or the continued supply of arms risk igniting a regional conflagration, possibly resulting in many more deaths and even more widespread misery," she added.

During its 24th session, the 47-member Human Rights Council will hear the latest report of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria.