UN Syria plan backing a ‘great step forward’—Britain

A gathering in the U.N. Security Council of foreign ministers lead by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry vote on a draft resolution concerning Syria, Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 at U.N. headquarters. U.N. Security Council members have unanimously approved a U.N. resolution endorsing a peace process for Syria including a cease-fire and talks between the Damascus government and the opposition. AP File Photo

LONDON, United Kingdom—The UN Security Council’s backing for a plan to end the civil war in Syria is a “great step forward” for resolving the crisis, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Saturday.

READ: UN seizes on Syria plan as best hope for ceasefire

The plan could potentially bring about a ceasefire as early as January.

The United Nations Security Council gave its unanimous support Friday to the plan which would summon rebels and President Bashar al-Assad’s regime to the negotiating table.

READ: UN working to launch Syria talks and cease-fire in January

“Syria has for too long been the world’s biggest humanitarian and security crisis,” Hammond said in a statement issued in London.

“The international community has now come together to work to end the bloody civil war in Syria and has paved the way for talks amongst the Syrian parties that will see a transition away from the murderous regime of Assad.

“This resolution gives us a timetable and a clear way forward. Of course there are many challenges ahead but the world has taken a great step forward to resolving the Syrian crisis.”