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US ambassador walks out as Syrian ambassador accuses US

Russia and China voted against the Western draft resolution of the UN Security Council on Syria, and another four countries - Brazil, India, South Africa and Lebanon

UNITED NATIONS, October 5 (Itar-Tass) — US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice on Tuesday walked out of the UN Security Council meeting hall after Syrian Ambassador Bashar Jaafari accused the United States of “aiding and abetting Israeli genocide” against the Palestinian people.

Speaking in the debate after the UN Security Council failed to adopt a West-supported draft resolution condemning Syria, the Syrian ambassador said the United States has about 50 times vetoed in the Security Council draft resolutions condemning Israel. “The United States is a partner of Israel in their ongoing policy of genocide against the Palestinians,” Jaafari said, in part.

The US ambassador that supported the Western draft, speaking on the voting results, expressed deep regret that some members of Congress have not allowed taking a principled stand against the brutal suppression of its people by the Syrian regime. “Those who oppose this resolution and give cover to a brutal regime will have to answer to the Syrian people - and, indeed, to people across the region who are pursuing the same universal aspirations,” she said. “The crisis in Syria will stay before the Security Council, and we will not rest until this council rises to meet its responsibilities.”

Russia and China voted against the Western draft resolution of the UN Security Council on Syria, and another four countries - Brazil, India, South Africa and Lebanon - abstained.

The countries voting in favour of the resolution were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, France, Gabon, Germany, Nigeria, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the US. The countries abstaining were Brazil, India, Lebanon and South Africa. The draft resolution had been co-sponsored by France, Germany, Portugal and the UK.