The United Nations Security Council will vote on Friday on a draft resolution demanding a 30-day truce in Syria to allow aid deliveries and medical evacuations, but it was not immediately clear if the text had won the support of Syrian ally Russia. The vote comes as warplanes pounded eastern Ghouta, the last rebel enclave near Syria’s capital, for a fifth day running. Russia on Thursday proposed amendments to the resolution drafted by Sweden and Kuwait, arguing that the language was unrealistic and that the 15-member Security Council could not simply impose a truce on Syria without consulting the parties. The council is due to vote at 11am (1600 GMT) on Friday, said Kuwait’s UN mission, president of the council for February. Russia has cast 11 vetoes on possible Security Council action on Syria since its civil war began in 2011.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 23, 2018 05:15 UTC