UN Security Council decided not to extend the UN Observer’s Mission in Syria

The United Nations Security Council decided not to extend the mandate of UN Observer’s Mission in Syria. However, it has supported the idea of maintaining a political office in Damascus. The French Ambassador to the UN said in New York that the conditions to continue were not fulfilled. The mission will come to an end on 19 August 2012.

The UN Security council had set two conditions for extending the mission of the unarmed observers beyond 20 August 2012. These included a halt to the Syrian Government's use of heavy weapons and a significant reduction in the violence. UN stated neither condition had been met and Syria now risks a descent into a full-scale civil war. It virtually sealed the fate of UN Observer mission in Syria. Due to escalation in violence and risk to the lives of observers, the mission had to suspend its operations Mid way in June 2012.