The UN Security Council’s failure to adopt a joint stance towards the Syrian crisis is a matter of concern and shame. As the council remains paralysed, the Assad regime is unleashing a reign of terror on civilians in Syria.

The United Nations mission in Syria remains suspended. UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan is still seeking to secure an agreement on a political transition plan that all the major powers can back. UN officials concede that civilians in Syria face increasing danger and “conditions are not conducive to resume operations”.

The almost 300 unarmed UN monitors halted operations on June 16 as President Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown against opposition groups intensified.

The Syrian government is throwing up obstacles such as refusing to allow satellite telephones, which the UN official say are “key tools”.

There are massive rights violations in Syria with more civilians being killed each day. But the world remains passive to the carnage.

Syrian activists estimate that more than 15,000 people have died in the 15-month old conflict.

HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani is pleading for a “shared view” towards the Syrian issue. In an interview with Al Jazeera channel, the Prime Minister has described the EU’s latest move to tighten sanctions imposed on the Syrian regime as “significant” but has pointed out that what is more important is a joint response from the Security Council.

He has regretted the Security Council’s failure to enact UN Charter VII so far, in line with the Arab League’s recommendations in its last meeting.

US Envoy to the United Nations Susan Rice has also called for effective measures, including the imposition of sanctions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to put pressure on the Assad regime to comply with Annan’s six-point peace plan and work toward a political transition. Rice told a Security Council debate on civilians in conflict this week that the UN had been unable to protect the Syrian people from the atrocities carried out by their government.

A meeting is likely to be held in Geneva soon among the five permanent members of UN Security Council and some Arab and international organisations to discuss the situation in Syria. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accepted an invitation to the Geneva meeting.

In the Al Jazeera interview, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim has hoped that Geneva meeting will endorse Annan’s plan under Chapter VII “because we are aware of the extent of destruction and killing that took place in Syria, which requires faster and more serious move by the international community”.

The shooting down of a Turkish warplane by Syria has already increased tension between the two neighbours, highlighting the dangers facing the region. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that Ankara would not hesitate from using force in response to any future incidents involving Syria.

The UN Security Council must fulfil its responsibility before the situation gets worse.