The Syrian government continues to fly attacks on rebel-controlled Ostghuta. Since Friday evening, at least 140 rockets have been fired on suburbs of Damascus. At least five people were killed and more than twelve were injured, Syrian Human Rights Observatory reported.

Time Online

This increases number of deaths of past seven days to 492, among m 116 children. The centre is an opposition-related organisation whose statements cannot be independently verified.

The activist group Ghuta Media Center speaks of nine deaths in several cities since Saturday. Syrian state media report that rebels fired mortar grenades on Damascus and caused damage to property.

Dispute over UN resolution

On Saturday UN Security Council wants to adopt a 30-day ceasefire in Syria after a day of strife. The vote on an appropriate resolution had been postponed several times before. "I am extremely frustrated," said Swedish UN ambassador Olof Skoog on Friday after about six hours of deliberations. " We have not been able to adopt a resolution to alleviate suffering of Syrian people. "

Russia had threatened to veto draft resolution. The bill was n toned down because Russia rejected it on Thursday and demanded numerous changes. The updated version now states, for example, that Security Council "calls" for a ceasefire – previously it was said that Security Council "decides" that re must be a ceasefire.

Kuwait and Sweden, who had drafted resolution, appeared to be opposed to Russians and changed text so that it no longer requires that a ceasefire 72 hours after adoption of resolution should come into force. Instead, new text circulating on Friday night calls for "all parties to cease hostilities without delay."

400,000 civilians included for months

The fire break should give helpers access to besieged areas and enable m to bring victims to safety.

In Syria, fighting is currently concentrated in Kurdish region of Afrin and rebel-controlled Ostghuta at Damascus. Ostghuta has been bombarded by Syrian government for days, opposition activists are also accusing Russia of flying air missions. Around 400,000 people are trapped in city and cut off from humanitarian aid. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called Ostghuta "hell on Earth".

Date Of Update: 25 February 2018, 12:03