Security Council Schedules Vote On Syrian Violence

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Amid deep divisions, another vote is due later this morning at the U.N. Security Council on a resolution designed to end the escalating violence in Syria.

The vote was delayed Wednesday in an effort to get key Western nations and Russia to find an accommodation on measures to stop the violence, but the move proved fruitless.

The resolution threatens non-military sanctions against President Bashar Assad's government if he doesn't withdraw troops and heavy weapons from populated areas within 10 days. But its passage could eventually allow the use of force to end the conflict.

Russia is a close ally of Syria, and it has said that it's against any use for force.