BBC News with Jerry Smit

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Security Council to approve an expanded monitoring mission to Syria. He was speaking after the Syrian government signed a

preliminary

accord on the deployment of such a mission. From New York, here's Barbara Plett.

Despite the continued violence, the secretary general said a swift deployment of more observers to Syria could contribute to bringing peace. He acknowledged the risk and stressed the need for full cooperation from the Syrian government. Damascus has now signed a

framework

accord on the conditions governing the mission, such as freedom of movement, although the vital issue of air support hasn't been settled.

Some Security Council members like Russia want to move quickly to authorise the expanded mission. Others like the United States want to first see evidence that the government allows monitors already on the ground to do their job effectively.

The international charity Medecins Sans Frontieres says there's been a dramatic increase in the number of refugees fleeing into Mauritania from the conflict in Mali. Here's our West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy.

Mauritania has taken the largest number since Timbuktu fell into rebel hands with up to 1,500 people crossing the border each day. Although fighting has ceased, the

presence

of armed groups and the political uncertainty generates fear and panic among the population, according to Doctors Without Borders. The aid agency has warned the conditions within the border camp in Mauritania are below humanitarian standards