NEW YORK (AFP) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on Friday called on the Security Council to impose an arms embargo on Syria and urged neighbouring countries to stop the flow of weapons across the border.

He delivered the remarks in a keynote address on Syria's devastating civil war, which has paralysed the Security Council and wider international community, preventing a united response.

"It is essential to stem the flow of arms pouring into the country," said Mr Ban in a lecture at the Asia Society in New York.

"It is irresponsible for foreign powers and groups to give continued military support to parties in Syria that are committing atrocities," he added.

"I urge the Security Council to impose an arms embargo. If divisions in the Council continue to prevent such a step, I urge countries to do so individually.

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