LOC23:09
20:09 GMT
NEW YORK, Dec 5 (KUNA) -- Russia and China blocked Monday a UN Security Council resolution that calls for a 7-day pause in Aleppo allowing urgent humanitarian needs to be addressed.
Following closed-door consultations, the UNSC held an open meeting to vote on a draft resolution despite Russia's objections and efforts to delay it.
Eleven members voted with, Russia, China and Venezuela against, whereas Angola Abstained. This is the sixth time Russia used a veto on a resolution concerning Syria and its crisis.
Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin told the Council before that vote that the resolution "violates the procedure of the Council since the draft was only put into blue at 11:20 am today."
Therefore, he announced that Russia cannot support the resolution submitted by Egypt, Spain and New Zealand.
The failed resolution decides that all parties to the Syrian conflict shall cease (24 hours after the adoption of this resolution) for 7-days any and all attacks in the city of Aleppo, including with any weapons, including rockets, mortars, and anti-tank guided missiles, and including shelling and airstrikes, to allow urgent humanitarian needs to be addressed.
It also expressed its intention to consider further extensions for 7-day periods on a recurring basis, and demands that all parties allow and facilitate immediate, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to all of Aleppo by the United Nations and its implementing partners. (end)
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