Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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New York, SANA – Russia used the right of veto on Saturday against the French draft resolution on Syria submitted to the Security Council.
Russia also submitted an alternative draft resolution in place of the French resolution, with Russia’s draft using the Russian-US agreement as the basis for delivering aid, urging sides to stop combat activities, and separating “moderate opposition” from Jabhat al-Nusra, in addition to supporting the initiative of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura on having al-Nusra terrorists to leave Aleppo’s eastern neighborhoods. However, France, Britain, and United States vetoed the Russian draft resolution.
Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vitaly Churkin said at the session prior to voting on the French draft resolution that he’s aware that both draft resolutions won’t be adopted during this session, and that France has never made a single constructive initiative since the beginning of the crisis in Syria; rather its efforts were limited to propaganda.
Churkin noted that Russia had stated earlier that it will vote against the French draft resolution, and that Russia hasn’t found any reason to convince it of the need to enforce a no-fly zone over Aleppo city.
He also reaffirmed the need to relaunch the political process in Syria which the “opposition” had derailed, voicing Russia’s readiness to work towards reaching a solution along with regional and international partners.
Venezuela also voted against the draft resolution, while China and Angola declined to vote.
Hazem Sabbagh
