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Outgoing UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura speaks to journalists during a press encounter after a Security Council meeting on Syria, at the UN headquarters in New York, Dec. 20, 2018. UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura on Thursday received a standing ovation in the Security Council as he bid farewell. De Mistura, after four years and four months in the job, will step down by the end of the year and he will be replaced by Geir Pedersen of Norway. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura on Thursday received a standing ovation in the Security Council as he bid farewell.

At the end of his last briefing to the Security Council in his current capacity, de Mistura asked to "go beyond protocol" to shake hands with the representatives of all 15 council members.

On his way back to his seat, he received a standing ovation. De Mistura stood still at the center of the chamber and bowed toward the seat of the council presidency, with his hand on the chest.

Cote d'Ivoire's ambassador to the United Nations Kacou Houadja Leon Adom, who was chairing the meeting as council president, lauded de Mistura and thanked him for his work.

The ambassador said the applause spoke better than words of gratitude and appreciation.

De Mistura, after four years and four months in the job, steps down by the end of the year. He will be replaced by Geir Pedersen of Norway.