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UNSC approves draft on cross-border aid to Syrians

NEW YORK, Dec 13 (KUNA) - The UN Security Council on Thursday adopted a draft, sponsored by Kuwait and Sweden, to extend for one year the mandate specified in the Resolution 2165 for delivery of aid to Syrians across the borders and conflict lines.
Thirteen of the 15 members of the Council voted for the draft with Russia and China abstaining.
On behalf of the two sponsors of the Syrian humanitarian dossier, Kuwait Representative to the UN Mansour A. Al-Otaibi briefed the Council following the vote on the consultations with the main players in Syria over the last few weeks.
"The consultations were very fruitful and encouraged Sweden and Kuwait to table this balanced and purely humanitarian draft," he said.
Ambassador Al-Otaibi thanked the representatives of the Council members for their constructive contribution and positive response to the recommendation of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutters in this regard.
"The cross-border humanitarian assistance continue to be a lifeline for more than 663,000 people across Syria who cannot be supported by any other means," he said, noting that additional 13 million Syrians are in need of aid.
He also appreciated the efforts made by Mark Lowcock, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, to address the challenging situation in Syria. (end) asf.gb