Angelina Jolie slams UN paralysis on Syrian refugees. Syrian ambassador replies: 'She's beautiful'

Angelina Jolie delivers a speech to United Nations Security Council. Photo / Getty Images

Angelina Jolie has pleaded with world powers to help the millions of Syrian refugees, sharply criticising the UN Security Council for being paralysed by its division over Syria's four-year conflict.

Jolie briefed the council as special envoy for the UN on refugee issues. When asked about Jolie's planned briefing, Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari responded: "She is beautiful."

Nearly four million Syrians have fled the conflict into neighboring countries, which warn they are dangerously overstretched.

The UN reports that about 440,000 people are besieged in Syria's civil war, now in its fifth year.

Of those, 167,500 are trapped by government forces, 228,000 by Islamic State militants and the rest by other armed groups.

The 39-year-old actress and director spoke at the United Nations in New York on Friday dressed in a white blazer, matching skirt and delicate jewelry. She had removed her $250,000 diamond engagement ring to make her speech.

Syria's UN ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari failed to acknowledge Jolie's attack. Photo / Getty Images

"We cannot look at Syria, and the evil that has arisen from the ashes of indecision, and think this is not the lowest point in the world's inability to protect and defend the innocent," Jolie said.

"We are standing by in Syria," she said, adding that the council's powers lie unused because its members cannot agree on how to address the conflict.

In addition, Jolie spoke briefly about the rising migrant crisis on the Mediterranean, where more than 1300 migrants fleeing Syria and other places have drowned at sea over the past three weeks.

"It is sickening to see thousands of refugees drowning on the doorstep of the world's wealthiest continent,' she said.

"No one risks the lives of their children in this way except out of utter desperation."

Jolie, who said she has made 11 visits to Syrian refugees in the region since the crisis began in 2011, called strongly for the political will to act.

- Daily Mail