Lebanese Ministry of Information
Russia opposed the UN Security Council’s declaration for a ceasefire in north-west Syria, top UN diplomats said, after a tense closed-door meeting in New York, AFP reported.
“Basically, Russia said no, which is very painful,” Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve, president of the United Nations Council for February, told reporters.
“There is no statement … It was not possible,” he added.
“We tried very hard to have a press statement calling for cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access to Idlib,” Nicolas de Riviere, French ambassador to the United Nations, added.
Russia’s opposition to the statement was backed by China, AFP reported.
UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, said yesterday the country was on the brink of worsening violence and Syria’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, independence must be restored in line with UN Resolution 2254.
“I cannot report any progress in ending the current violence in the northwest or in reconvening the political process,” Geir Pedersen told the council during the ceasefire meeting in New York.
He said Russian and Turkish delegations have met intensively in recent days but no understanding has yet emerged.
On Monday, the UN also urged all players in Syria to end hostilities in the north-west province of Idlib and the country as a whole immediately.
The UN has urged all players in Syria to end hostilities in the northwest province of Idlib and the country as a whole immediately
Middle East Monitor
