UNITED NATIONS, October 26. /TASS/. Russia calls on the UN Security Council not to miss the last chance to do what it must, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said on Wednesday.
"We drafted an alternative version of the resolution so that the UN could ultimately implement its peacekeeping mandate <…>. This is the last try from the Council to implement its noble functions. We call on it not to miss this chance," he said.
According to the Russian diplomat, the Russian draft is based on "the time-tested humanitarian language and incorporates the most useful elements from the US, Brazilian, and Russia’s first drafts."
"We see no reasons why the Security Council members should turn it down unless it doesn’t want a ceasefire and the cessation of this new spiral of violence," Nenebzya stressed.
After the UN Security Council failed to adopt either Russia-or Brazil-drafted resolution on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Moscow offered another document. The 15-provision draft incorporated some elements from both Brazilian and US drafts, including Russian amendments to the Brazilian version. In particular, it condemns the radical Palestinian movement Hamas’ attacks on Israel, and calls for an immediate ceasefire, the establishment of humanitarian corridors and the release of all hostages. It also contains a proposal to cancel Israel’s order on the evacuation of Gaza Strip residents to the south of the enclave.
On October 25, the UN Security Council did not pass the Russia-initiated draft resolution on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The document was supported by four out of the 15 Security Council members. The United States and the United Kingdom voted against, the rest abstained.
A resolution is adopted when supported by nine Security Council members and is not vetoed by any.