The U.N. General Assembly approved a resolution on Wednesday, expressing outrage at "widespread and systematic gross violations" by the Syrian regime. The resolution, submitted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of dozens of states including the United States of America, is one of the strongest criticisms yet of the Syrian regime. It also expresses "grave concern at the spread of extremism and extremist groups" in Syria. The resolution was approved by 127 to 13, with 47 countries abstaining. The resolution condemns the use of chemical weapons in Syria and "strongly points" to their use by the Syrian regime in an Aug. 21 poison gas attack that killed hundreds of civilians in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta. It calls on the Security Council to take "the necessary measures against all those responsible for the chemical weapons attack" to ensure accountability. The resolution demands an end to all human rights abuses, the immediate release of all detainees and immediate steps by the Syrian regime to expand humanitarian relief operations.
