DHAKA: The UN Security Council has unanimously approved a resolution on access to humanitarian aid in Syria - the first time it has united on the issue.

The resolution says both Syrian government and opposition forces must allow aid convoys to reach civilians across the country.

The agreed text does not threaten sanctions - but warns of "further steps" if the sides do not comply.

Russia and China, who vetoed previous similar resolutions, voted in favour.

Russia, who has so far supported the government of President Bashar al-Assad, backed the document after insisting that an initial reference to sanctions be dropped.

However, the resolution does denounce the use of barrel bombs, and demands cross-border access for aid convoys as well as an end to sieges across the country.

US ambassador Samantha Power: "Implementation starts now"

Clashes continued on Saturday with reports of barrel bombs - barrels filled with explosives and scraps of metal - being dropped in the northern city of Aleppo.

Source: BBC
BDST: 1100 HRS, FEB 23, 2014