Chief U.N. monitor in Syria General Robert Mood has declared that the Syrian Government has expressed very clearly commitment to the safety and freedom of movement of the UN observers, adding that he has not seen the same clear statement from the opposition yet. In press statements yesterday, following the security Council session, Mood added that UN observers would only resume full operations if there was a significant reduction in the level of violence and if all sides voiced commitment to the observers' safety and freedom of movement. Mood said he looked forward to practical steps towards national dialogue.

Mood had told the UN Security Council that the UN monitors had a moral obligation to stay in Syria even if increased violence led them to suspend their work.