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RF, China’s position on Syria causes irritation, criticism of West

Moscow and Beijing used their right of veto during voting at the Security Council of a draft resolution on Syria

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

UN, February 5 (Itar-Tass) —— Irritation close to hysteria was a response from some members of the UN Security Council to firm and principle position of Russia and China, which blocked the anti-Syria resolution.

On Saturday, Moscow and Beijing used their right of veto during voting at the Security Council of a draft resolution on Syria presented by Morocco. The document, which had been drafted by seven countries, was supported by 13 countries, while two voted against it.

Following the voting, France’s Ambassador to the UN Gerard Araud mentioned that Russia and China had been blocking for the second time over several months the resolution of Syria /on October 4 2011, Russia and China put a veto upon a draft of anti-Syria resolution/. Two permanent members of the Security Council are failing any actions of the Security Council, they are doing so realising fully the tragic consequences, he said.

The US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said the Security Council was being "held hostage by a couple of members".

Quite similar were comments from the UK Ambassador to the UN Mark Lyall Grant, who said that the double veto from Russia and China could not be justified anyhow.

Claiming this criticism as groundless, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin stressed that the decision of the Security Council “should be exactly such because some influential members of the international community, including those sitting at this table, from the very beginning of the crisis in Syria undermined the opportunity of political settlement calling for change of the regime and setting the opposition against the power without shunning provocations and forcing for armed means of fighting.”

Churkin regretted that “the work we have been doing at the Security Council has not been finalised.” He continued saying that the Russian delegation had to vote against the presented draft resolution, as it “reflected inadequately the reality in Syria.”

“Co-authors of the resolution have not taken our suggestions that Syria’s opposition should distance from extremist groups.”

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