The United Nations Security Council has agreed to a statement condemning widespread violence in Syria's coastal region and calling on Syria's interim authorities to protect all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religion,

"Strongly condemns the widespread violence taking place in the provinces of Latakia and Tartous since 6 March, in particular the massacres of civilians"

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree on Wednesday to form the country's national security council, according to a statement by the Syrian president's office. The council will take decisions related to the country's national security and challenges facing the state.