SYRIA: ‘UN unanimously demands a 30-day cease-fire across Syria’, Associated Press, 24 February 2018; and ‘The UN in Syria: years of impotence and failure’, Agence France-Presse, 24 February 2018

The UN Security Council 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 vote was postponed for several days of lengthy and intense negotiations to try to get support from Russia, a key Syrian ally that said repeatedly an immediate cease-fire was unrealistic. Sponsors Kuwait and Sweden amended the resolution in a last-minute attempt to satisfy Russia, dropping a demand that the cease-fire take effect in 72 hours. 'UN unanimously demands a 30-day cease-fire across Syria', Associated Press, 24 February 2018; and 'The UN in Syria: years of impotence and failure', Agence France-Presse, 24 February 2018