The Security Council Votes on a New Resolution Regarding Syria

According to reports, members of the United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting on Friday, March 7, ahead of the start of the agreed ceasefire in Syria, to vote on a new resolution proposed by the United States and Russia. The 15 members of the Security Council will simultaneously receive a report from Stefan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Syria. This report will be presented to the members just hours before the ceasefire in Syria. The United States and Russia reached an agreement on March 3 to establish a ceasefire in Syria, which is set to take effect from early Saturday. AFP reports that it has seen a draft of the new resolution, which emphasizes the cessation of hostilities from midnight and requests for humanitarian aid to civilians. The resolution being voted on expresses hope that the upcoming ceasefire will be 'a step towards a lasting ceasefire.' It calls on all countries, especially those involved in the Syrian peace process and related negotiations, to 'use their influence over the parties involved in the Syrian crisis to ensure the implementation of commitments regarding the cessation of hostilities.' Stefan de Mistura has expressed hope that if the ceasefire progresses, a new round of peace talks will begin on March 4, one week later. The Syrian ceasefire does not include the 'Islamic State' group and the al-Nusra Front, which the UN considers 'terrorists.' These groups control significant parts of Syrian territory. AFP, citing diplomats, reports that Security Council members have until 11 a.m. New York time to raise any requests or points they deem necessary in the draft. The voting will take place at 8 p.m. New York time. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, stated on Thursday, following a meeting with his security advisors, that the coming days will be critical for Syria. Mr. Obama emphasized that the success of the ceasefire in Syria requires all parties involved, including the Syrian government, Russia, and their allies, to adhere to their commitments in this regard. On the same day, John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, announced that a 'significant number' of Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces have withdrawn from the battlefronts in Syria. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, also had a phone conversation with Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, who stated that Damascus is ready to implement the ceasefire and will assist in it. More than 260,000 people have lost their lives in the Syrian civil war, which began in March 2011 following a severe crackdown on mostly peaceful protests against the Assad government.