Last Updated Feb 24, 2018 2:33 PM EST
UNITED NATIONS — 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.
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.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (L) speaks to China’s ambassador to the U.N. Ma Zhaoxu before the United Nations Security Council vote for ceasefire to Syrian bombing in eastern Ghouta, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, U.S., February 24, 2018.
EDUARDO MUNOZ/REUTERS
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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