UN Security Council despairs over Syria aid as Russia opposes actions against regime

UNITED NATIONS – Members of the U.N. Security Council say they fear that no progress will be made on getting desperately needed humanitarian aid into Syria as long as Russia opposes any actions against the Assad regime.

U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos briefed the council Wednesday and said a resolution passed in February aimed at eliminating obstacles to deliver aid is "not working."

The resolution threatened "further steps" by the council if its demands aren't fulfilled, but Russia, Syria's closest ally, can veto any such action as a permanent council member.

French U.N. ambassador Gerard Araud tweeted from the council meeting, "#UNSC will be haunted by its failure."

The U.N. secretary-general says almost 3.5 million civilians in Syria have virtually no humanitarian aid access. Ban Ki-moon has criticized both rebel and government forces.