Russia believes members of the UN observer mission in Syria should resume work once their personal security can be ensured in full, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said.
On June 16 the head of the UN Observer Mission in Syria announced the temporary suspension of UN activities “until further notice” due to the increasing violence in the country. Unless they receive additional guidance, the UN observers will not risk their lives and will not leave their deployment areas for places where armed clashes between government forces and illegal armed groups take place.
“We believe it is necessary to resume the normal work of UN observers and fully ensure their personal safety,” Lukashevich said.
“This involves taking action on the part of Syria’s government and the armed opposition so that UN employees have unimpeded and secure access to various parts of Syria, including for an objective verification of the ceasefire and to facilitate dialogue on the ground,” he said.
More than 12,000 people have been killed in Syria since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011, according to UN data.