( CNN ) -- Despite the escalating violence in Syria that led to the suspension of monitoring activities , the United Nations can continue to play a crucial role in the embattled country , Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a report to be presented to the Security Council . An advance copy of the report , which is circulating among Security Council members , was obtained by CNN ahead of a Wednesday briefing on Syria to the council by Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan . The document outlines the efforts to implement a six-point plan that would impose a cease-fire and take measures to protect human rights , and admits that it has not worked . In some places , the levels of violence are even higher today than they were before an initial cease-fire attempt , the report says . Military : Shelling from Syria hits Lebanon . The 300-strong U.N. team in Syria , whose mission is to observe and help implement the plan , has been unable to do its work as envisioned because of present conditions , the document states . Last month , the United Nations announced that it was pulling back its unarmed monitors because of escalating violence . Opposition groups slammed the international body for the suspension of its work . The U.N. mission 's role in Syria was based on the premise that there would be a cessation to the violence , and failing that , `` a calibration of effort in response to the situation on the ground would be appropriate , '' Ban writes . Basically , the three options Ban puts on the table are : withdrawing the U.N. team , increasing its size or adding armed protection for them ; or retooling the mission of the current team . Ban elaborates the most on the idea to shift the strategy of the current U.N. team . The team could retain its military observer capability and continue its fact-finding work , but with a limited scope in light of the violence in Syria , the report says . In this scenario , the U.N. mission would move its personnel from the field back to Damascus , where it would focus on pushing forward the six-point plan to the Syrian government and the opposition . `` From a central hub in Damascus , the civilian component would continue liaison and dialogue with opposition and Government representatives in the provinces as security conditions allow , '' Ban writes . The other options -- withdrawal or augmentation of the force -- could have more negative consequences than good , the report concludes . Photos : In Syrian hospital , no escape from war . Withdrawing from Syria would ensure the safety of the team , but it could signal a loss of confidence in the hopes of a cease-fire and leave the U.N. without a way to monitor progress , the report says . `` ( Withdrawing ) would likely precipitate a further blow to efforts to stabilize the situation on the ground , and render the prospect of a negotiated Syrian-led transition , as laid out by the Action Group , more difficult , '' Ban writes . Expanding the size of the mission , with or without armed protection , poses an `` unacceptably high '' security risk , given that there are no signs of the violence receding immediately , the report says . These options must be considered , Ban writes , because `` in spite of the best efforts of ( the mission ) to support the parties in the effort to de-escalate the crisis , there is not a cessation of violence , and the basic human rights whose protection is at the core of the ( six-point ) plan continue to be violated , '' the report says . According to the opposition Local Coordination Committees in Syria , 71 people , including 10 defectors , were killed across the country . In fighting in Aleppo Province since Friday , four Syrian troops and one opposition fighter were killed , another group , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said . Heavy fighting was reported in Idlib , where the town of Al-Tamani ' a was shelled by forces who tried to raid it , the group said . Shelling was reported in several suburbs of Damascus . The state-run SANA news agency reported at least four different incidents where `` terrorist '' attacks were foiled by security forces throughout the country . According to the agency , more than 11 fighters it identified as `` terrorists '' were killed by security forces , and at least 10 vehicles , some with weapons inside , were destroyed . CNN can not independently verify government and opposition claims of casualties because access to Syria by international journalists has been severely curtailed . Analysis : Syria options dwindling .
Secretary - General Ban Ki - moon prepared a report for the Security Council . It outlines possible priorities for the U.N. mission there . Ban elaborates on an approach to the observers , but shift their work . Some were 71 % .