(VOVworld) – A UN official has confirmed that the Syrian ceasefire actually worked on ground.

Peace envoy Staffan de Mistura said the truce, now in its sixth day, had made "visible" progress. (AFP file photo)

 Staffan de Mistura, the UN’s Syria Special Envoy, said on Thursday that visible progress was being made in the landmark ceasefire, after a sharp drop had been reported in the number of civilians dying every day.

The peace envoy told reporters in Geneva that thanks to the truce, now in its sixth day, the level of violence in Syria was being greatly reduced, adding that the situation remained "fragile".

In the five days since the ceasefire took effect, a total of 73 civilians were killed across the country, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

Observatory head Abdel Rahman said the five-day toll represented a "huge drop," comparing it with the 63 civilians killed on Friday alone, before the cessation of hostilities.

Mr. De Mistura acknowledged that there are still a number of places where fighting has continued including in parts of Damascus and Homs.