UN Security Council has rejected Russia-sponsored resolution seeking condemnation of joint military air strikes launched by the United States, Britain and France on Syria in retaliation for an alleged chemical weapon attack.
The Russia-drafted resolution won three votes at the Security Council, far below the nine votes required for adoption. China and Bolivia supported the Russian measure that would have condemned the aggression against Syria and demanded that the three allies refrain from any further strike.
The vote was held after the United States warned that it was ready to launch more military strikes on Syria if President Bashar al-Assad’s forces carry out a new chemical weapons attack.
The United States, Britain and France launched air strikes on Syria a week after a suspected chemical attack in the rebel-held town of Douma left more than 40 people dead.
Meanwhile, the United States, France and Britain have launched a new bid at the United Nations to investigate chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The three allies circulated a joint draft resolution at the Security Council that calls for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid, enforcing a ceasefire and demands that Syria engage in UN-led peace talks.
The draft resolution will establish an independent investigation of allegations of chemical attacks in Syria with the aim of identifying the perpetrators.
The measure will instruct the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to report within 30 days on whether Syria has fully disclosed its chemical weapons stockpile.
Source: AIR