The UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously adopted a resolution which demands "rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access" of UN humanitarian aid in war-torn Syria, where armed conflict has been going on for nearly three years.

"The Security Council demands that all parties, in particular the Syrian authorities, promptly allow rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access for UN humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners, including across conflict lines and across borders, in order to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches people in need through the most direct routes," the resolution said.

The 15-nation UN body started an open meeting at around 11:15 am EST (1615 GMT) to vote on the draft resolution presented by Australia, Jordan and Luxembourg, three of the 10 non-permanent council members, and backed by Britain, France, the United States and South Korea.

Britain, France and the United States are three of the five permanent council members and South Korea is another non-permanent member.