UN chief: Crisis may lead to social unrest

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned that failing to act to halt the global economic crisis could lead to widespread social unrest and failed states. 

"What began as a financial crisis has become a global economic crisis," the UN Secretary General wrote on Wednesday, in The Guardian newspaper, ahead of the G20 Summit in London. 

"I fear worse to come -- a full-blown political crisis defined by growing social unrest, weakened governments and angry publics who have lost all faith in their leaders and their own future." 

He said the global economic meltdown affected the poorest countries the most, and noted that in these countries "things fall apart alarmingly fast". 

"Unless we build a worldwide recovery we face a looming catastrophe in human development," Ban wrote. 

He called for a "truly global stimulus" package, and argued that developing countries need one trillion dollars over 2009 and 2010. 

"There is a thin line between failing banks and failing countries, and we cross it at our peril," he concluded.