Russian, Chinese Veto Ready on Syria

Local Editor

Russia's envoy to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov warned that "without a specific clause preventing Libya-style intervention the United Nation's Secretary Draft bill would be rejected."

In remarks to "Interfax" news agency, the diplomat clarified that "there was no chance that the UN Security Council resolution could pass without clearly ruling out foreign interference."

He said that the current draft "is missing the most important thing: a clear clause ruling out the possibility that the resolution could be used to justify military intervention in Syrian affairs from outside. For this reason I see no chance this draft could be adopted."

In parallel, the Chinese Ambassador to the UN Li Baodong restated the country's opposition to the use of force to remove President Bashar al-Assad from power.

In an interview with "Xinhua" news agency, Baodong told the Security Council that "the use of force could breach international law."

"China firmly opposes the use of force to solve the Syrian problem and resolutely opposes pushing for forced regime change in Syria, as it violates the United Nations Charter and the basic norms guiding the practice of international relations," he said.

Both Russia and China have the power to veto any bill put before the Council and could prevent any agreement unless concessions are agreed.


Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org