The resolution’s passage comes as the UN-backed ceasefire in Syria – which came into effect on Thursday and is aimed at halting hostilities between government forces and opponents of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad – looks to be in danger of collapsing in some parts of the country.
MAJDAL SHAMS, Israel — The Druze are commonly believed to comprise less than 3 percent of the population of Syria. But with a history of military and political achievement much greater than their numbers, they have disproportionate importance.
A fragile cease-fire has taken hold in Syria, with regime forces halting widespread attacks on the opposition. There were reports of isolated gunfire and shelling, but the relative quiet represents the first brief lull in weeks of bloodshed, opposition activists said.
Activists expect protesters to return to the streets in "huge numbers" if the cease-fire holds, and said that even if tanks are withdrawn "shabiha," civilian militias aligned with the government, could retaliate.
International envoy Kofi Annan says that the Syrian government has assured him that it will respect the planned ceasefire with rebel forces, which is due to begin in under 24 hours.
DAMASCUS — Since nominally agreeing on March 26 to pull security forces out of urban areas by Tuesday, the government of President Bashar al-Assad has only escalated its assaults, killing more than 1,000.
Speaking from Hatay, Turkey, joint United Nations-Arab League envoy to Syria Kofi Annan, who proposed the six-point peace plan, said "the plan is still on the table."
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