The United Nations Security Council is expected to meet again at the end of the month to try and find a solution to the conflict in Syria.

Up to 20,000 troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are preparing for an all-out attack on the remaining rebel strongholds in the city of Aleppo.

The UN Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan resigned from his position days ago after failing to implement a peace plan in Syria.

Meanwhile the Iranian foreign minister yesterday sought help from the United Nations to free dozens of Iranians captured in Syria and Libya.

Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi stressed the “deep concern” of his government at the fate of the 48 Iranians seized in Syria and another 7 Iranian Red Crescent workers held in Libya in a letter to UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

The letter highlighted reported comments by Syrian rebels that 3 of the Iranians had been killed in government shelling.