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20:55 GMT
NEW YORK, Sept 18 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the agreement reached between Turkey and Russia to create a demilitarized buffer zone in Syria's Idlib, which should avert a full-scale military operation and provide amnesty for millions of civilians.
A statement issued by the Spokesman of the Secretary-General calls on all parties in Syria to cooperate in the implementation of the agreement and ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access in all areas through the most direct routes.
The Secretary-General stressed the need for swift action to address the root causes of the conflict and forge a long, lasting durable political solution in line with the UN Security Council resolution 2254.
During the Security Council session Mark Lowcock, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs said that there the agreement is questionable considering there are three million currently in Idlib and if this "agreement will just be a showcase to escape this long dark tunnel."
Lowcock added that a large-scale military operation would displace many and increase the suffering of the civilians who are already under harsh living conditions.
He also welcomed the agreement that was announced on Monday saying that in the situation that the deal is implemented "it will prevent a humanitarian crisis as long as we take caution."
For the disarmament, process to succeed it will take cooperation and understanding from all sides, added Lowcock, and expressed concern over the use of force to implement this process putting civilians at risk.
In the press conference, on his part the UN Humanitarian Coordinator Ali Al-Zaatari welcomed the agreement that was signed in Sochi between Russia and Turkey, on Idlib and security concerns to facilitate access for humanitarian aid.
Al-Zaatari assured UN agencies operating in Syria to provide necessary aid in Idlib and its countryside to say, "The work of the UN in Syria are guided by humanitarian principles governing its work." (end)
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