UN passes resolution on Syria monitors
The UN Security Council yesterday unanimously passed a resolution allowing a 300-strong ceasefire monitoring mission in Syria despite the strong doubts of many Western nations.
Under UN resolution 2043, the unarmed military observers will be sent for an initial period of 90 days if UN leader Ban Ki-moon decides it is safe for them to go.
The council has already approved an advanced mission, but several western envoys stressed the dangers of sending unarmed monitors to Syria where violence has not halted since a cessation of hostilities started on April 12.
The UN says well over 9,000 people have been killed in Syria in the past 13 months of an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. Many activists say however that the figure is well over 11,000.
The observer operation will be officially known as the UN Supervisory Mission in Syria, UNSMIS.
The resolution gets tougher on Assad by calling on him to complete the withdrawal of troops and weapons from population centers. The previous resolution allowing the advanced party only spoke of beginning the withdrawal.
UN leader Ban Ki-moon welcomed the resolution, and said deployments would "proceed expeditiously, subject to his assessment of developments on the ground," said UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.
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