A veteran Norwegian peacekeeper is heading to Damascus to take charge of a UN mission overseeing a shaky ceasefire.

Major General Robert Mood of Norway will head the UN Supervision Mission in Syria. Photo: Norwegian Defence Force

Major-General Robert Mood was already en route on Saturday morning to the Syrian capital when Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, publicly announced his appointment. He takes over a mission that faces major obstacles and doubts before the full 300-member force approved by the UN Security Council has even gathered. The UN truce observer mission, numbering 300 people, in addition a component of civilian experts, will be available for deployment to Syria for a period of 90 days.