UN Security Council unanimously backs Syria peace plan
By AFP – Dec 31,2016 – JORDAN TIMES

Syrians gather around a Christmas tree in Aleppo’s government controlled Aziziyah neighbourhood on Saturday (AFP photo by George Ourfalian)
UNITED NATIONS — The UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously approved a resolution supporting a Russian-Turkish peace initiative for Syria, including an ongoing ceasefire and talks this month in Kazakhstan.
The resolution aims to pave the way for talks in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana under the aegis of key Syria government backers Russia and Iran, and of rebel supporter Turkey.
The text of the measure “welcomes and supports the efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jumpstart a political process”.
The ceasefire, which remained largely intact Saturday in its second day, was brokered by Russia and Turkey, which have been working increasingly closely on Syria.
The truce excludes extremist groups Daesh and former Al Qaeda affiliate Fateh Al Sham Front.
Categories: Russia, Syria, The Muslim Times, Turkey, United Nations