U.N. Condemns Syria

After days of wrangling, the U.N. Security Council adopted a statement Wednesday condemning the violence in Syria, as the death toll in Hama has increased sharply, up to more than 100 in the last 24 hours. The statement “condemn[s] widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities.” China and Russia originally blocked the motion because they said they feared it could pave the way for a military intervention like the one in Libya; they agreed to it only after language was added urging both sides to resist violence.