Angelina Jolie rips world powers on Syria's refugee crisis

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Actress Angelina Jolie pleaded with world powers today to help the millions of Syrian refugees, sharply criticizing the U.N. Security Council for being paralyzed by its division over Syria's four-year conflict.

Jolie briefed the council as special envoy for the U.N. on refugee issues. Syria's ambassador said simply of her presence, "She's beautiful."

Jolie spoke as the council prepared to hear the details of a new plan for peace talks set to begin early next month in Geneva, with Syria ally Iran among those invited.

Nearly 4 million Syrians have fled the conflict into neighboring countries, which warn they are dangerously overstretched.

"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.

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. She said the council's powers lie unused because its members cannot agree on how to address the conflict.