The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Friday to extend its monitoring mission in Syria for 30 days.<br/> <br />Russia along with China vetoed an earlier resolution which would have opened the door to sanctions on the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russia dropped its objections after the proposal was broadened to require both government forces and rebel fighters to take steps to halt the violence.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) VITALY CHURKIN, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We are very pleased with the outcome of our work on this resolution. It is a balanced resolution. Its requirements are addressed to all sides in Syria."<br/> <br />Both the United States and Britain described the new resolution as a last chance for the observers.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK LYALL GRANT, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SAYING:<br/> <br />" We believe that it is the right thing to do to give a final chance for that mission to be able to fulfill its function, but we have said clearly that it is a final extension unless there is a chance in the dynamic on the ground and in particular that there should be a cessation of use of heavy weapons and that there should be a sufficient reduction in the violence to enable UNSMIS to carry out its mandate."<br/> <br />Most of the UN monitoring activity was suspended on June 16 due to increased risk from rising violence.<br/> <br />Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.
