UN Security Council to send 300 observers to Syria
The new resolution, drafted by Russia, is a further step to last Saturday's resolution, which authorized the deployment of up to 30 monitors to Syria. Both call on the Syria government and oppositions to halt the violence that has killed thousands over the past 13 months. The vote came shortly after the UN ceasefire monitors were allowed into Syria's central city of Homs on Saturday.
Explaining China's vote and its co-sponsorship of the resolution, China's permanent representative to the UN, Li Baodong, said his country always supports and is "actively committed to promoting the just, peaceful and proper settlement of the Syrian crisis through political dialogue"．
Vitaly Churkin, Russia's permanent representative to the UN, told the council that the resolution is "of fundamental importance to push forward the peace process in Syria".
Russia and China - two of the five permanent members on the 15-nation council - vetoed two resolutions on Syria in October and in February, saying the texts were unbalanced and didn't address issues like attacks by rebel groups. They said they supported to solve the Syria crisis through international dialogue instead of "regime change".
The resolution also decided to establish a UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) for an initial period 90 days to monitor the cessation of violence in the country, as well as monitor and support the full implementation of the six-point peace plan proposed by UN Special Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan.
"The immediate and comprehensive deployment of the UNSMIS is of critical significance for solidifying the progress made by Mr. Annan's good offices, and promoting the full implementation of his six-point proposal," said Li.
Annan's six-point proposal calls for an end to violence, access for humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those in need, the release of detainees, and the launch of inclusive political dialogue that takes into account the aspirations of the Syrian people.
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