Obama, Ban Ki-moon discuss ways to work on Syria

US President Barack Obama met late on Thursday with the United Nations' Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss the way the United States can work with the United Nations to deal with the crisis in Syria. "It is very much in the United States' interests to ensure that international norms, rules .. and humanitarian norms are observed. And the United Nations gives us a critical opportunity to try to prevent conflict, create peace, maintain stability -- all of which ultimately is good for America's security and America's prosperity", said Obama in remarks after the meeting. The U.S President addressed the situation in Syria "where obviously the humanitarian crisis has gotten worse. And Secretary General Ban and I shared the view that we are at a critical juncture; that it is important for us to bring about an effective political transition that would respect the rights of all Syrians; and that, in the interim, it is important for us to try to eliminate some of the carnage that has been taking place directed at civilians and non-combatants". "We will be strategizing about how the United States -- which is the largest donor to the humanitarian assistance in Syria, and is also a strong supporter of the more moderate elements of the Syrian Opposition -- can work together with the United Nations to bring about if not a full resolution to the crisis, at least an improvement for the people of Syria and lay the foundation for a kind of political transition that is necessary," he said. Obama said he agreed with Ki-moon that "now is the time for North Korea to end the kind of belligerent approach that they have been taking, and to try to lower temperatures -- nobody wants to see a conflict on the Korean Peninsula." "But it is important for North Korea, like every other country in the world, to observe the basic rules and norms that are set forth, including a wide variety of U.N. resolutions that have passed. And we will continue to try to work to resolve some of those issues diplomatically, even as the United States will take all necessary steps to protect its people and to meet our obligations under our alliances in the region," he added. Regarding the Middle East peace, Obama saw "at least a window of opportunity for both Israelis and Palestinians to get back to the peace table" and noted that the United States "as a strong friend of Israel and a supporter of a Palestinian state, can work with the United Nations and other multilateral bodies to try to move that process forward." Ki-moon mentioned that the UN and the US "share common goals in peace and security, human rights and development" and that the partnership between them "is now making very solid foundation". "On Syria, this is the most troubling situation, where all the leaders of the world should really take much more strengthened leadership on. I have asked President Obama to demonstrate and exercise his stronger leadership in working together with the key partners of the Security Council," he added. Ki-moon noted that this "continuing military struggle as well as intensifying this sectarian war -- make us really worried that unless we stop this violence, this whole Syrian society may be destroyed. We have been mobilizing all possible humanitarian assistance, and I really appreciate President Obama and his government's very generous support on this humanitarian assistance.: "On chemical weapons investigation, it is regrettable that the Syrian government has rejected my offer to engage in an investigation. This is my authority in accordance with the General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. I sincerely hope that the Syrian government will allow so that this investigation team will be able to conduct investigation, as requested by them," he added. On North Korea, Ki-moon expressed his concerns "on these continuing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and commended President Obama's "firm, principled, but measured response in close consultation with the Republic of Korea government and with strong engagement with neighboring countries like China". "We hope that more of the countries, including China, who may have influence over North Korea, can exercise their leadership and influence so that this situation will be resolved peacefully", he concluded.