Syria: US tables new Security Council resolution to halt violence, woo China, Russia

GlobalPost

NEW YORK — The US today introduced a new UN Security Council resolution on Syria, hoping to win the support of Russia and China, countries which last month blocked a previous attempt to end the violence in the Middle Eastern country, according to the Associated Press.

The news agency said the resolution was to be discussed behind closed doors by the council’s five permanent members, which also include France and Britain, and also by Morocco.

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Russia and China last month drew widespread scorn upon themselves after vetoing a resolution which would have called on Syrian government forces to end their assault on civilians and opposition fighters.

The AP said the new draft resolution would call for a cease fire first by the government and then by the rebels in an effort to get Russia and China to agree.

It was unclear if this would work, the AP said.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov defended his country's position on Syria, its closest Mideast ally, and told reporters in Moscow on Tuesday that the council should "seek compromise, stimulate negotiations and a political process."

After Tuesday's closed discussion of the US draft, Russia's UN ambassador had no comment. China's UN Ambassador Li Baodong, when asked about a new resolution, said "we are still working on that."

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The AP also reported that British Prime Minister David Cameron had said today that he had spoken with Russian officials but was not encouraged that they would change their position.

"I think these are early days, but I did not sense any sign of a shift," Cameron was quoted as telling lawmakers following the telephone talks.

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