UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Over the past weeks, an "encouraging surge of diplomatic activity" on the northeast Syria has been seen, though some uncertainties remain, Mohamed Khaled Khiari, assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, said Thursday.
The security situation in Syria remains extremely volatile, nevertheless on Oct. 17, Turkey and the United States announced agreement on a 120 hour pause in Turkey's operation, Khiari told the Security Council.
Khiari also highlighted the agreement reached by the presidents of Turkey and Russia on Oct. 22, in which Russia and Syria agreed to patrol part of the border area and oversee the withdrawal of Kurdish forces 30 kilometers from the border over a period of 150 hours.
"The UN takes note of these agreements and welcomes any efforts to de-escalate the situation in line with the UN Charter and protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law," he said.
Khiari expressed his concern over the humanitarian impact of military operations in northern Syria. He called on the Security Council to do "everything in their power to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, to ensure full and unimpeded humanitarian access, and to help the parties resolve their security concerns through peaceful means."
He added the UN urges the international community to provide strengthened support to Syria's neighboring countries in hosting refugees fleeing the conflict. He said it is also important to stress that refugee returns must be voluntary, safe, dignified and well informed.
By Oct. 20, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that over 176,000 civilians had been displaced as a result of the hostilities, including nearly 80,000 children.
