Addressing the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, the UN Secretary-General expressed concern on Friday that both Iraq and Syria were on the brink of total collapse.

"Suddenly, the cohesion and integrity of two major countries, not just one, is in question," Ban told the Asia Society on Syria in New York City.

He went on to say that only a political solution could end the sectarian violence in the two neighboring countries.

US President Barack Obama announced on Thursday that he was prepared to launch targeted airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) if necessary. The terrorist group has made rapid advances in Iraq this month and also controls areas of Syria. But Ban warned that military intervention could backfire.

"Military strikes against [ISIS] might have little lasting effect or even be counterproductive if there is no movement toward an inclusive government in Iraq," the secretary-general said.

Call for Syria arms embargo

Discussing the civil war in Syria, Ban called on the Security Council to impose an arms embargo against the country.

"It's essential to stem the flow of arms pouring into the country," the UN chief said. "It is irresponsible for foreign powers and groups to give continued military support to parties in Syria that are committing atrocities."

But the Security Council has been deeply divided over Syria. China and Russia have vetoed four Western-backed UN resolutions that have variously sought to impose sanctions and refer the conflict to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, among other measures.

Ban said that if the Council cannot pass a resolution, then countries should impose arms embargos individually.

"Syria's neighbors should enforce a firm prohibition on the use of their land borders and airspace for arms flows and smuggling into Syria," he added.

New Syria envoy expected

The UN chief also said he would appoint a new envoy to Syria soon.

Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi resigned the post last month, after negotiations between the rebels and the Assad regime failed to produce results. He had taken over the job after Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general, resigned.

More than 150,000 people have died in Syria's civil war and half of the country's population of 22 million has been displaced. The conflict has been raging for more than three years.

slk/jm (AFP, AP, Reuters)