Russia Presents Rival UN Resolution on Humanitarian Crisis in Syria

Local Editor

Russia’s UN ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, reportedly presented the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council with a draft resolution on Syria’s humanitarian crisis, according to diplomatic sources speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The new draft aims to facilitate the delivery of aid to Syrian civilians and reportedly includes other items from the original Western and Arab text. However, it excluded an earlier provision which required Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government to resign.

Envoys from the Security Council were scheduled to meet on Thursday “to try to merge the two texts”, according to one diplomat. “It seems like the Russians are ready to talk,” the diplomat added.

This week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the original UN draft resolution for failing to address the growing threat of terrorism in the war torn country, in addition to providing an ultimatum for the Assad regime’s departure.

On Wednesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov warned that the draft resolution, which says sanctions will be imposed unless Damascus allows unrestricted access to aid delivery, is politically motivated and aims to prepare the grounds for military operations against Syria.

Source: Al Manar