UNITED NATIONS, June 15 -- The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, started a visit to Damascus at the invitation of the Syrian government, said a UN spokesman at a daily briefing here on Monday.

"Mr. de Mistura looks forward to meeting with senior Syrian officials with the aim of giving them the opportunity to express their own views around the Geneva Consultations, which started in early May 2015 and will continue into July," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general.

"In this regard, Mr. de Mistura reiterates his intention of submitting a report to the Secretary-General regarding the operationalisation of the Geneva Communique in all its aspects," said Dujarric.

During his visit, de Mistura intends to raise with the Syrian government the issue of protection of civilians, underlining once again the unacceptable use of barrel bombs and the incontestable duty of any government, in all circumstances, to protect its civilians, under international humanitarian law, according to Dujarric.

The special envoy also plans to discuss the current humanitarian situation in Syria and ways to increase access to besieged and conflict-affected communities, said Dujarric.

In his discussions, the special envoy plans to convey, once again, to Syrian officials his deep conviction that no solution to the Syrian conflict can be imposed by force and that an inclusive and Syrian-led and owned political settlement is urgently needed, said Dujarric.

According to local media, de Mistura arrived Monday in Damascus and has met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem.

The Syrian conflict began when nationwide protests against President Bashar al-Assad met with violent government crackdowns in 2011. Till now, it has been dragging on for over four years with no solution in sight.