Warning of the prospect of a long-term civil war in Syria, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his call for the international community to work together to resolve the ongoing crisis in the Middle Eastern country. “We face the grim possibility of long-term civil war destroying Syria’s rich tapestry of interwoven communities. This would have tragic implications for Syria’s people and could affect stability across the region. We cannot let this prediction come true,” Ban said in a message delivered on his behalf to an international consultative meeting on Syria, taking place in Tehran, Iran, today. “All of us have a responsibility to the people of Syria. We must use all of the peaceful means in the UN Charter to help them unite around a Syrian-led transition process that is based on dialogue and compromise by all sides on the ground, not bullets, arrests, abductions and intimidation,” he added. In his message, the UN chief noted the General Assembly adopted a resolution last week, which stressed the importance of making rapid progress on a political transition and encouraged Member States to provide active support to this end. “For this consultative group, this means that it must take concerted efforts to persuade Syria’s leadership to change course and embrace a political transitions,” Ban said. The UN chief noted that the primary responsibility for stopping the violence lies with those on the ground, particularly the Syria Government. “But their refusal to lay down arms does not absolve the rest of us of the need to act. I urge all of you to face up to the collective responsibilities we shoulder,” he said. The Secretary-General stated that a first move by the Government is vital, as “its intransigence and refusal to implement the six-point peace plan has been the greatest obstacle to any peaceful political process, ensuring the distrust of the opposition in proposals for a negotiated transition.” The opposition, too, he said, should be more forthcoming in favour of opportunities for a political solution. “Most importantly and urgently, all sides must protect civilians and abide by their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law,” the Secretary-General noted.