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

February 24, 2018

Last Updated Feb 24, 2018 2:42 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.

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.

A volunteer 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.

Abdulmonam Eassa / AFP/Getty Images

This is a developing story and will be updated.