Follow us on:   

Russia blocks UN statement against Assad
January 9, 2014, 12:09 pm

Syrian opposition suppoerters stomp on a portrait during a demonstration in the neighborhood of Bustan Al-Qasr, Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 [AP]

Syrian opposition suppoerters stomp on a portrait during a demonstration in the neighborhood of Bustan Al-Qasr, Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 [AP]

Russia has blocked a UN statement to condemn air strikes carried out by the Syrian government on cities inside the war-torn Middle Eastern country.

Russia had suggested several amendments to a UK-sponsored statement.

Britain finally withdrew the proposal fearing it would be excessively watered down, according to diplomats, Reuters news agency reported.

Russia and China, permanent members of the UNSC, have already vetoed three Security Council resolutions condemning the actions of the Syrian regime since the civil war broke out in the country in 2011.

The British proposal expressed “outrage” at Assad’s aerial bombardment of the city of Aleppo, which is being fought over by rebel and government forces, the AFP news agency reported.

The Syrian government enjoys total air supremacy in its battle with opposition fighters.

Earlier this week, the UN confirmed the beginning of removal of the Syrian stockpile of chemical weapons after materials were loaded onto a Danish vessel for eventual delivery to a US navy ship for destruction at sea.

A Chinese warship on Tuesday escorted the first batch of Syrian chemical weapons out of the country.

 

Source: Agencies