This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35138011
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Syria war: UN Security Council unanimously backs peace plan | Syria war: UN Security Council unanimously backs peace plan |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution outlining a peace process in Syria. | The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution outlining a peace process in Syria. |
| The 15-member council reached rare agreement on the issue in a session in New York on Friday. | The 15-member council reached rare agreement on the issue in a session in New York on Friday. |
| The resolution endorses talks between the Syrian government and opposition in early January, as well as a ceasefire. | The resolution endorses talks between the Syrian government and opposition in early January, as well as a ceasefire. |
| The Syrian war, which is heading towards its fifth year, has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced millions more, the UN says. | The Syrian war, which is heading towards its fifth year, has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced millions more, the UN says. |
| However, disagreements remain over the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. | |
| The US, UK and France called for his departure, saying he had lost the ability to lead the country. | |
| Russia and China, however, argued against a requirement for Mr Assad to leave power as a precondition for talks. The resolution itself makes no mention of his future role. | |
| There is also disagreement over the definition of which armed groups fall within the remit of the ceasefire. | |
| 'Milestone' reached | |
| US Secretary of State John Kerry, chairing the session, said the resolution sent "a clear message to all concerned that the time is now to stop the killing in Syria". | US Secretary of State John Kerry, chairing the session, said the resolution sent "a clear message to all concerned that the time is now to stop the killing in Syria". |
| "The resolution we just reached is a milestone, because it sets specific goals and specific timeframes," he added. | "The resolution we just reached is a milestone, because it sets specific goals and specific timeframes," he added. |
| UN Security Council Resolution on Syria (No. 2254) | |
| The resolution calls for a ceasefire that should be implemented in parallel with the talks. | The resolution calls for a ceasefire that should be implemented in parallel with the talks. |
| However, actions against groups considered terrorist organisations would not be affected. This would allow Russian, French and US air-strikes against Islamic State to continue. | However, actions against groups considered terrorist organisations would not be affected. This would allow Russian, French and US air-strikes against Islamic State to continue. |
| France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius welcomed the deal but said that the idea of Mr Assad standing in elections was "unacceptable". | |
| One of the major sticking points so far has been which rebel groups should be considered terrorist outfits and consequently excluded from any talks or ceasefire. | One of the major sticking points so far has been which rebel groups should be considered terrorist outfits and consequently excluded from any talks or ceasefire. |
| The agreement demands that all parties cease attacks against civilians. | The agreement demands that all parties cease attacks against civilians. |
| Russia, an ally of Mr Assad, has argued against his departure being a precondition for talks. | |