<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">With Russia's backing, the United Nations Security Council has unanimously demanded a 30-day ceasefire in Syria to allow for humanitarian aid deliveries and medical evacuations.&nbsp;</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The resolution, demanding the ceasefire without delay, was adopted last night, as the Syrian government forces pounded the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta where more than 500 people have been killed in seven days.&nbsp;</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The resolution said, the ceasefire will not apply to operations against the Islamic State or Al-Qaeda, along with individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with the terror groups.&nbsp;</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">This would allow the Syrian government's offensive to continue against Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Idlib, the last province in Syria outside the control of Damascus. Diplomats said, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is to report to the Council in 15 days on the ceasefire.</div>