UN Syria envoy urges foreign powers to help restore ceasefire

The United Nations' Syria envoy sent an urgent appeal Saturday to Russia, Iran and Turkey seeking help to restore a ceasefire, warning that escalating violence was threatening peace talks in Geneva.UN mediator Staffan de Mistura sent letters to Moscow and Tehran -- which back the Damascus regime -- as well as Ankara which supports the Syrian opposition, expressing concern over surging violence around the Syrian capital and central Hama province."Growing violations in recent days are undermining