(VOVworld) – On Monday, the UN Security Council adopted a presidential statement backing the new approach by the UN General Secretary’s Special Envoy on Syria to implement the Geneva Communiqué.

UNRWA distributes life-saving assistance to displaced civilians from Yarmouk in Yalda, Syria. (Photo: UNRWA)

The 16-point statement states that the UN fully supports Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura’s approach on creating four thematic working groups involving Syrian government representatives and opposition forces.

The statement also clarifies that the UN Security Council affirms respect for Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity and expresses its gravest concern that parts of Syria are under threats of the Islamic State and Al-Nusra.

The Security Council urged all parties to engage in preventing terrorist acts from the IS, Al-Nusra, and all other Al-Qaeda- linked groups.

The initiative was drafted by 5 UN Security Council member countries following Mistura’s proposal on July 29 that all related parties in Syria should join the working groups to realize the peace roadmap based on the Geneva Communiqué in June 2012. The four groups which will begin their operation next month cover the protection for civilians, establishment of a political process, counterterrorism, and national reconstruction.