The UN Security Council planned an open meeting later Wednesday to issue a statement that would condemn the Syrian government's "widespread violations of human rights and use of force against civilians", dpa reported.
The draft statement, expected to be read by the council president, India's UN Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, was reached after a new round of behind-closed-doors debate. The text is called a presidential statement, but it lacks the effectiveness of a resolution.
The text would call for an "immediate end to all violence and urge all sides to act with utmost restraint, and to refrain from reprisals, including attacks against state institutions."
It would urge full respect of human rights and call for those responsible for the violence to be held accountable.
The draft would note that Damascus has committed to carry out reform, but "regret the lack of progress in implementation."
It would reaffirm the council's "strong commitment" to Syrian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
By choosing the issuance of a statement, the 15-nation group may end the rift among members. Germany, Britain, France, Portugal and the US - the Western governments in the council - were in favour of strong condemnation and a binding resolution.
Other council members - Russia, China, Brazil, India and South Africa - were opposed to a resolution. Russia and China could veto a resolution if pushed by the other permanent members - the US, France and Britain.
UN Security Council to issue statement on Syria unrest
The UN Security Council planned an open meeting later Wednesday to issue a statement that would condemn the Syrian government's "widespread violations of human rights and use of force against civilians", dpa reported.
