NEW YORK TIMES: ….The fighting raged as obstacles to forge a united international front to enforce a cease-fire appeared immovable, with Russia criticizing what it called Western efforts to “blackmail” it into threatening the government of President Bashar al-Assad with United Nations sanctions….
A British draft resolution backed by the West and many Arab countries links the extension of the monitoring mission, first approved in April, to a 10-day deadline for Mr. Assad to implement the six-point plan he accepted in March. It includes an immediate cease-fire and steps toward a political transition.
Failing that, the resolution would invoke Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, which allows for punitive measures like economic sanctions and ultimately military action to enforce Security Council demands. … (more)
