简体中文
A Russian-drafted resolution, which would have condemned the military strikes on Syria carried out by the United States, France and Britain, failed to be adopted by the UN Security Council on Saturday.
Three of the 15 members of the Security Council – Russia, Bolivia and China – voted in favor. Four countries – Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Peru – abstained. The remaining eight members of the council voted against it.
For adoption, a resolution requires at least nine votes in favor on the condition that none of the permanent members – Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States – votes against.
The US, France and Britain launched missile attacks in Syria on Friday following reports of alleged chemical weapons use in Douma near the capital city of Damascus on April 7.
International investigators from the global chemical weapons watchdog are in Syria and were due to start their inquiry on Saturday into the suspected toxic gas attack. Western countries and their allies blame the Syrian government over the suspected attack, but Damascus and Moscow insist there was no evidence of a chemical weapons attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the airstrikes as "an act of aggression."
The draft resolution condemns "the aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic by the US and its allies in violation of international law and the UN Charter."
It further demands that the United States and its allies immediately end military action against Syria and refrain from any further use of force in the future.
'A sad day for the world'
After the vote, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said: "Today is a sad day for the world, for the United Nations, and for its Charter, which was blatantly violated."
He reiterated his country's demand that there be no further military action against Syria.
"Why didn't you wait for the outcome of the investigation you called for?" Nebenzia said, accusing the US, France and Britain of "demonstrating a blatant disregard for international law."
The US-led airstrikes were "hooliganism in international relations," he stressed.
It was the fourth draft resolution rejected by the Security Council over the alleged gas attack. On Tuesday, the Security Council failed to approve three draft resolutions. Russia vetoed a US text, while two Russian-drafted resolutions failed to get a minimum nine votes to pass.
China calls for a political settlement
Ma Zhaoxu, China's ambassador to the UN, reiterated the country's opposition to "unilateral military actions" and called for a political settlement of the Syria issue.
"We advocate respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of all countries," Ma said, adding that "any unilateral military actions that circumvent the Security Council" are against the UN Charter and would impede Syria's peace process.
China urges all relevant parties to avoid "any move that may lead to further escalation of the situation" and "solve the issue through dialogue and consultation," he noted.
Ma repeated China's call for a "comprehensive, impartial and objective" investigation into the suspected chemical attack, stressing that "no party must prejudge the outcome."
"To solve the Syria issue, there is no alternative to a political settlement," the Chinese ambassador said.
He also called on the parties concerned to support the role of the UN as the main mediator over the issue.
Speaking prior to the vote on the draft, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all member states to "show restraint" and "avoid any acts that could escalate matters."
There is no military solution to the crisis, only a political one, he said.
Guterres warned that "Syria today represents the most serious threat to international peace and security."
'The US is locked and loaded'
US Ambassador Nikki Haley defended the joint operation, expressing confidence that the airstrikes had "crippled" Syria's chemical weapons program.
"With yesterday's military action, our message was crystal clear. The United States of America will not allow the Assad regime to continue to use chemical weapons," she said.
"I spoke to the President this morning and he said if the Syrian regime uses this poison gas again, the United States is locked and loaded," she added. "When our President draws a red line, our President enforces the red line."
The airstrikes were reportedly limited to three military locations, including a research facility in Damascus. US President Donald Trump on Saturday triumphantly declared "Mission Accomplished!"
"We are prepared to sustain this pressure if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will," Haley noted.
The US, France and Britain on Saturday launched a new bid at the UN to investigate the suspected chemical attack. The three allies circulated a joint draft resolution at the Security Council that also calls for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid, enforcing a ceasefire and demands that Syria engage in UN-led peace talks, according to the text obtained by AFP.
(CGTN)
