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Here's a quick summary of recent developments:

• Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, says 300 unarmed observers should be sent to Syria for three months - to monitor the fragile ceasefire between forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and opposition fighters.

• In his report, which has been released to the UN Security Council, Ban also stated that it was "critical" for Assad to carry out his commitments.

• The number is a fraction of the peacekeeping forces sent to other areas of conflict.

• Ban said there was still a chance for progress in Syria, despite the incomplete ceasefire.

• He had originally recommended 250 unarmed military observers.

• Helicopters and planes could be supplied by European countries.

• Ban told the Security Council that Syria has yet to send a "clear signal" about its commitment to peace.

For more detail and context, read our news story - UN chief says Syria has broken ceasefire 

• Meanwhile, the US secretary of state says the conflict in Syria is now taking place on NATO's borders.  

• Hillary Clinton's comments come after shelling last week reached Turkey and Lebanon.

• Syria's foreign minister maintains his country is observing the ceasefire.

• But, speaking in Brussels, Clinton says more pressure should be put on Assad:

"We are at a crucial turning point, either we succeed in pushing forward with Kofi Annan's plan in accordance with the Security Council direction, with the help of monitors, steadily broadening and deepening a zone of non-conflict and peace, or we see Assad squandering his last chance before additional measures have to be considered. Now we will continue to increase the pressure on Assad."

For more of our special coverage on Syria click here.

(An image grab taken from a video uploaded on YouTube on April 18, allegedly shows Moroccan UN observer, Colonel Ahmed Himmiche, surrounded by anti-government protesters during a tour by UN monitors in the Damascus suburb of Irbin on the same day - AFP/HO/YOUTUBE)