Today in Damascus, the United Nations and the Syrian Government have concluded an Agreement which is intended to provide a basis for a Protocol governing the Advance Team of Observers and, upon its deployment, the UN Supervision Mechanism (UNSM) to monitor and support a cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties and the implementation of the Joint Special Envoy's Six Point Plan.

This Agreement outlines the functions of the observers as they fulfill their mandate in Syria and the tasks and responsibilities of the Syrian government in this regard. The Office of the Joint Special Envoy's is also having similar discussions with representatives of the opposition on the tasks and responsibilities of the armed opposition groups.

An effective observer team on the ground is vital if the lives of ordinary Syrian families is to slowly return to normal.

That is why the Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan made the cessation of violence in all its forms by all parties under an effective UN supervision mechanism, the essential first step in his plan for bringing peace to Syria, a plan which has the overwhelming support of the international community.

The hard part lies ahead, a truly Syrian-led and -owned political dialogue to address the legitimate concerns and aspirations of the Syrian people.