United Nations Sep 21 (IANS) Leading with a plea for implementation of the recent bilateral breakthrough to spare Idlib in Syria UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said his "overriding concern" is for international multilateral diplomacy.

"I call on all the parties to implement the (Turkey-Russia) agreement with a strong commitment to the protection of civilians and to ensure humanitarian access adhere to international humanitarian law and work urgently for greater progress in the Geneva process " he said on Thursday referring to the recent accord on buffer or safe zone in Syria Xinhua reported.

It was feared a Russia-supported Syrian government attack on the last-stand rebel-held Idlib would create a bloodbath among the 3 million residents.

The Syria remark was the lead item at a press conference Guterres held at the UN headquarters a few days before the annual General Debate in the 193-member General Assembly where leaders from around the world will gather to speak their minds.

After citing in his opening statement a list of his concerns the UN chief said "let me note one overriding concern in our increasingly globalised era: multilateralism is under attack from many different directions precisely when we need it most."

"I will use my meetings and other opportunities next week to press for renewed commitment to a rules-based global order and to the United Nations the world s indispensable forum for international cooperation " the UN chief said.

"The presence of 84 heads of state and 44 heads of government is eloquent proof of the confidence of the international community in the UN " Guterres said.

--IANS pgh/