The UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution drafted by Russia, last night, that endorses a nationwide Syrian ceasefire, which was earlier brokered by Moscow and Ankara. The Security Council also expressed its support for the efforts taken by Russia and Turkey and aimed at stopping violence in Syria and launching a political process. Council members stressed that they see the Astana meeting as an important step in the process toward the reconciliation of the Syrian conflict. <br/><br/>The US deputy ambassador to the UN, Michelle Sison, said that the US expects the truce to be observed across the whole of Syria while the British deputy UN envoy Peter Wilson said that a system is required to independently monitor the ceasefire.<br/><br/>Russian UN envoy Vitaly Churkin expressed his gratitude to all UN Security Council members and thanked them for their contribution to the peace process in Syria. He particularly praised the role of Turkey in reaching the ceasefire agreement.<br/><br/>The draft resolution prepared by Russia was officially presented to the UNSC on Friday, a day after Moscow sent the texts of two agreements signed by the Syrian government and seven armed opposition groups to the UN body.