Syria peace talks set for Jan. 22 in Geneva - UN | Reuters. GENEVA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - An international peace conference aimed at ending Syria's civil war will be held on Jan. 22, the first face-to-face talks between the government of President Bashar al-Assad and rebels seeking to overthrow him, the United Nations said.

UPDATE 2-Syria peace talks set for Jan. 22 in Geneva - UN | Reuters: "The United Nations is hoping for a peaceful transition in Syria, building on an agreement between world powers reached in June last year. The deal calls for the warring sides to agree to set up a transitional governing body with full executive powers, including over military and security entities."

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U.N. chief hails Congo agreement with M23 rebels [UPDATE] - UPI.com. " Representatives of the government and the M23 signed the agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, after weeks of stalled talks. The deal requires M23 to abandon the rebellion and form a political party, the New Times of Rwanda reported. Ban said the agreement "constitutes a positive step toward ending cycles of deadly conflicts that have caused immense suffering to the Congolese people." "The peace agreement signed is a good step that can be built on," said James Mugume, the permanent secretary in Uganda's Ministry of Foreign affairs.

U.N. chief hails Congo agreement with M23 rebels [UPDATE] - UPI.com: "A communique issued in conjunction with the agreement indicated refugees and internally displaced persons would be allowed to return to their homes in Kinshasa.

It also grants amnesty to M23 rebels for acts of war and insurgency, establishes transnational security arrangements leading to disarmament and calls for the release of rebels being detained for acts of war and rebellion."

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UN Chief Appeals for Peace in CAR. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is appealing to the Central African Republic to end violence he says has taken the country to "the brink of ruin." In a video address to the CAR's people Friday, Mr. Ban said he is "deeply troubled" by what is happening in the country and called on "everyone to follow the path of peace." He spoke soon after the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights' office said there had been an alarming increase in tensions among religious communities in the CAR. In a briefing, spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said 27 Muslims were killed in the western village of Bohong. She said the Muslims appear to have been killed Thursday by "anti-balaka" fighters, who are mostly Christian. The spokeswoman said there have also been reports of retaliatory attacks between Christians and Muslims in the capital, Bangui, over the past few days. In his video address, Mr. Ban said people in the CAR should not allow the "voices of hatred" to sow division where it previously did not exist. "Whatever your faith or background, you share the same history and the same future. I call on religious and community leaders -- Muslim and Christian -- to act as messengers for peace. "

UN Chief Appeals for Peace in CAR: "Relief organizations say fighting and sectarian violence have left more than 600 people dead over the past week.

The U.N. refugee agency says the recent unrest has displaced almost 160,000 people. The agency says about 38,000 civilians have sought refuge at Bangui's airport, where there are "no latrines or washing facilities."

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