Ban Ki-moon urges Assad regime to stop Aleppo offensive

Im seriously concerned by the escalating violence in Aleppo, Ban said during a visit to London for the Olympic Games. I urge the Syrian government to halt the offensive.The violence from both sides must stop for the sake of suffering civilians in Syria, he added, following a meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague.Bans warning came as world powers voiced fears that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may be preparing a massacre of his own people.Hague earlier said the assault could spark a humanitarian disaster.This utterly unacceptable escalation of the conflict could lead to a devastating loss of civilian life, Hague said in a statement.Tanks, helicopter gunships and warplanes have poured into Aleppo over the past two days, with troops firing on a string of rebel neighbourhoods in its southwest on Friday in the battle to control the commercial hub.Syrian rebels said Friday they had captured 100 soldiers and militia members in Aleppo.