Fighting has only worsened in Syria in the week since the UN called for a month-long ceasefire, the UN's humanitarian co-ordinator in Damascus warned Monday (February 12th).

The UN made an urgent plea on Tuesday for warring sides in Syria to temporarily lay down their arms to allow for aid deliveries to desperate civilians, AFP reported.

The UN Security Council failed to back the appeal last week but was to consider a new draft on a 30-day pause on Monday.

Hours before the talks, the UN's humanitarian co-ordinator in Syria, Ali al-Zaatari, renewed the plea.

"Since our statement of February 6th, when the UN representatives in Syria called for a one-month cessation of hostilities, the situation has worsened," al-Zaatari said in a statement.

"We are witnessing some of the worst fighting of the entire conflict, with reports of hundreds of civilian deaths and injuries, massive displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities," he added.

Over the past week, Syrian regime warplanes have pounded Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, as opposition fighters fired rockets and mortars on the capital.

"We keep stressing our message, that this terrible suffering of the Syrian people must stop. They have already borne the brunt of this brutal conflict," al-Zaatari said.

"I am again appealing to all parties, and those with influence over them, to listen to us and to the affected population: end this intolerable human suffering," he said.