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Ban
said despite the Syrian government's agreement to cease all violence,
there is still "deeply troubling evidence" that the situation on the
ground has not changed.
"The
situation (in Syria) remains highly precarious... Despite assurances
from the government, there has been no meaningful progress on the
ground. This is unacceptable," Ban told reporters in United Nations on
Thursday.
Ban
said he has recommended that the UN Security Council authorise the
establishment of an UN supervision mission in Syria, comprising up to
300 military observers supported by a civilian component.
"This
is not a decision without risk. But I believe it can contribute to
achieving a just peace and political settlement, reflecting the people's
will in Syria," the UN Chief said.
The
Security Council had on Saturday authorised the deployment of an
advance team of 30 unarmed military observers to liaise with the parties
and to begin to report on the implementation of a full cessation of
armed violence, pending the deployment of a UN supervision mission that
will be tasked with monitoring the cessation.
The first group of the UN military monitors arrived in Damascus earlier this week.
Ban's
remarks came even as the UN and the Syrian government concluded an
agreement in Damascus for a preliminary protocol outlining the functions
of the observer mission and the tasks and responsibilities of the
Syrian government in this regard.
The
spokesperson for the Joint Special Envoy of the UN and the League of
Arab States for Syria, Kofi Annan, said in a statement issued in
Damascus that Annan's office is having similar discussions with
representatives of the opposition on the tasks and responsibilities of
the armed opposition groups.
Annan
had submitted a six-point peace plan during a visit to Damascus in
March. It seeks to stop the violence and the killing, give access to
humanitarian agencies, release detainees, and kick-start an inclusive
political dialogue. 
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