U.N. approves resolution demanding 30-day cease-fire in Syria

TOPSHOT – A civil Defence volunteer, known as the White Helmets, checks the site of a regime air strike in the rebel-held town of Saqba, in the besieged Eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, on February 23, 2018. Syrian regime air strikes and artillery fire hit the rebel-held enclave of Eastern […]

by: CBS News

Posted: Feb 24, 2018 / 08:08 PM EST

Updated: Feb 24, 2018 / 08:08 PM EST

The U.N. Security Council has unanimously approved a resolution demanding a 30-day cease-fire across Syria “without delay” to deliver humanitarian aid to millions and evacuate the critically ill and wounded. The sponsors, Kuwait and Sweden, amended the resolution late Friday in a last-minute attempt to get Russian support, dropping a demand that the cease-fire take effect in 72 hours.

The unanimous vote shows progress in Council diplomacy to forge a compromise with Russia, CBS News’ Pamela Falk reports, but the challenge remains to get to an actual ceasefire.

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia had said repeatedly that an immediate cease-fire was unrealistic.

Sweden’s U.N. Ambassador Olof Skoog said before the vote that the resolution could de-escalate violence and save lives.

“The U.N. convoys and evacuation teams are ready to go,” he said.

The 15-member council voted to allow aid deliveries and medical evacuations.