Security Council Nears Syria Agreement That Doesn’t Include Military Force

The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council agreed Thursday to require Syria to relinquish its chemical weapons, but the draft resolution they approved does not promise military action if the country fails to comply.

Under pressure from the Russians, who support Syrian strongman Bashar Assad, the text of the resolution does not include immediate military consequences for noncompliance, the Associated Press reports. Instead, Security Council members will reconvene to consider potential force if Syria fails to comply.

The full 15-member Security Council will discuss the measure Thursday night. The agreement follows a preliminary one brokered by Russian and American diplomats to forestall American military intervention in the war-torn country.