U.N. chief urges Syria truce resolution to be implemented immediately

GENEVA - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged all parties involved in the Syria conflict to observe Security Council Resolution 2401 to have at least a 30-day truce in the conflict-ridden country. 
"Security Council resolutions are only meaningful if they are effectively implemented," Guterres said in his speech at the opening of the 37th session of the U.N. Human Rights Council. 

"It is high time to stop this hell on earth, in particular eastern Ghouta cannot wait," he said. "I expect the resolution to be immediately implemented and sustained, particularly to ensure the immediate, safe, unimpeded and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid and services, the evacuation of the critically sick and the wounded and the alleviation of the suffering of the Syrian people," he stressed. 

The U.N. chief also reminded all parties of their absolute obligation and international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure at all times. 
"Efforts to combat terrorism do not supersede these obligations," he said. Resolution 2401 was adopted unanimously by the Security Council on Saturday after two weeks of tough negotiations against the backdrop of escalating violence in Syria, particularly in eastern Ghouta, the last major rebel enclave near Damascus. The resolution demands an immediate cessation of hostilities for "a durable humanitarian pause for at least 30 consecutive days throughout Syria." Enditem 
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