Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit on Tuesday called for an "urgent ceasefire" in Syria's battered northern city of Aleppo to allow the flow of humanitarian aid to residents.
"What is happening in this city... is carnage," Abul Gheit told an emergency meeting of representatives of the 22 members of the Cairo-based Arab League.
His comments came as Syrian regime forces advanced against rebels during intense street battles in the heart of Aleppo on Tuesday, after the United States said it was suspending talks with Russia on a truce.
Washington accused Moscow of backing the Damascus government's assault on Aleppo as it announced it was freezing joint efforts with Russia for a nationwide truce in Syria's five-year war.
Abul Gheit said due to this latest development Arab nations must try to secure an "urgent ceasefire" for Aleppo.