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UN Security Council Backs Plan for Ending Syria Conflict
(New York Times) Rick Gladstone - The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously embraced efforts by Kofi Annan, the former secretary general, to negotiate a cease-fire in the year-old Syrian conflict, funnel aid to victims and begin a political transition. The council statement, supported by Russia and China, expressed its "gravest concern at the deteriorating situation in Syria, which has resulted in a serious human rights crisis and a deplorable humanitarian situation." The plan, which closely resembles an Arab League proposal that Syrian President Assad has rejected, calls for all combatants to immediately stop fighting, for the military to withdraw from populated areas, for a UN-supervised truce, and for the provision of humanitarian assistance.