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Western states at UNSC reject RF draft on Damascus terror act

Meanwhile, representative of the rebel group Syrian Free Army Maher al-Naimi said that the explosion was staged not only outside

UNITED NATIONS, August 16 (Itar-Tass) —Western countries’ delegations in the UN Security Council on Wednesday rejected Russia’s draft statement condemning the terrorist attack in Damascus, which was staged near the residence of UN observers.

The draft statement of the UN Security Council, which was posted on the Internet, urged to strongly condemn the terrorist attack, calling for “not leaving it unpunished” and emphasised the need “to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

According to available information, Russia has prepared two versions of the document. The first caused dissatisfaction of Germany, Portugal and the United Kingdom. British diplomats opposed the second draft again.

According to the official version of the Syrian authorities, the attack was staged near the Dama Rose Hotel where the UN observers are accommodated and was an “act of intimidation” in nature. The blast injured five people and damaged several buildings.

Meanwhile, representative of the rebel group Syrian Free Army Maher al-Naimi said that the explosion was staged not only outside, but also inside the room where there was a meeting of Syrian officers and commanders of the pro-government Shahiba militia. “I cannot say how many of them were killed and wounded, but there were at least 150 people there,” the Syrian Free Army representative stated. However, has not been officially confirmed.

It is not for the first time that Russia is trying to convince the UN Security Council to condemn terrorist attacks in which the Syrian opposition is involved. In mid-July there was an explosion in Damascus that killed and wounded military commanders and ministers. This attack of extremists was also left without the UN Security Council response.

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