UNITED NATIONS - UN Security Council Thursday adopted a press statement calling on the Syrian authorities to allow "immediate, full and unimpeded" humanitarian access.

The Security Council called upon the Syrian authorities to " allow immediate, full and unimpeded access of humanitarian personnel to all populations in need of assistance, in accordance with international law and guiding principles of humanitarian assistance," said the press statement, read out by British Ambassdar to the UN Mark Lyall Grant, whose country holds this month's Security Council presidency.

The 15-member council expressed their "deep disappointment" that Valerie Amos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, was not granted authorization to visit Syria, calling upon the Syrian authorities to grant her "immediate and unhindered access," said the statement.

The council also called upon all parties in Syria, in particular the Syrian authorities, to cooperate fully with the United Nations and relevant humanitarian organizations to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance and allow evacuation of the wounded from affected areas, it said.