Ban Ki-moon appeals to warring parties to lay down arms and speaks up for LGBT rights around the world

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for people at war throughout the world the lay down their arms and observe observe an “Olympic Truce.”

“I repeat my call, again and again, for all warring parties to lay down their weapons during the Games,” Ban said, addressing the International Olympic Committee on the eve of the Winter Games in Sochi. Citing conflicts in Syria, Central African Republic and South Sudan, he said a truce would allow for ”life-saving humanitarian aid to suffering people,” the Associated Press reports.

Read more: Sochi Winter Olympics 2014: Ban Ki-moon Wants Truce | TIME.com http://world.time.com/2014/02/06/sochi-2014-winter-olympics-ban-ki-moon/#ixzz2sxCG2GxY